MightyMeals PARTICPATES IN THE INAUGURAL HEARTS OF EMPOWERMENT PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT
On September 7th, 2024, MightyMeals had the honor of participating in the first-ever Hearts of Empowerment Pickleball Tournament, hosted at Kraken DC. Not only did MightyMeals provide nutritious meals for participants, but we also took to the courts with our very own team! David and Bea Schiffner proudly represented MightyMeals, sharing the court with other dedicated players, all while championing an incredible cause.
Hearts of Empowerment, a Washington DC-based nonprofit, is known for its steadfast mission to provide resources and tools to at-risk communities, aiming to break the cycle of generational poverty. With a focus on education, mentorship, financial literacy, and health and wellness initiatives, the organization has impacted thousands of lives in the DC Metro Area. Over the past four years, Hearts of Empowerment has raised over $1 million and worked with more than 50 partners, including MightyMeals.
As part of our Ace Sponsorship, MightyMeals proudly donated 100 meals to support participants and volunteers during the tournament. But our involvement didn’t stop there–David and Bea not only served up nutritious meals but also stepped up to the challenge, competing in the round-robin tournament alongside other teams.
In their recap of the day, Bea expressed her excitement: “We are thrilled to be here today representing MightyMeals at the first Hearts of Empowerment Pickleball Tournament. With our donation of 100 meals, MightyMeals is excited to support this cause and deepen our impact within the community. David added: “At MightyMeals, we’re dedicated to promoting wellness, fostering personal growth, and building stronger connections within our community.”
Making a Lasting Impact
The tournament isn’t just about competition–it was an opportunity to uplift programs that empower local youth and families. All proceeds from the event went directly to Hearts of Empowerment’s impactful initiatives, including Pathways to Opportunities, Family Workshops, and the Teen Dream Center in collaboration with Martha’s Table. These programs provide critical academic support, career development, financial literacy training, and safe spaces for teens in underserved areas of Washington, DC.
Through our partnership with Hearts of Empowerment, MightyMeals is proud to contribute to initiatives that align with our core values of wellness and community engagement. We believe in nourishing both the body and the spirit, and events like this allow us to give back in a meaningful way. We spoke with Hearts of Empowerment about our ongoing collaboration and how this partnership helps fuel their mission to create equitable opportunities for all:
“At Hearts of Empowerment, we deeply value partnerships built on trust and reliability, and MightyMeals exemplifies these qualities. Our collaborations, including one of our largest projects ever during the pandemic, where we provided meals to healthcare workers, have consistently demonstrated MightyMeals’ unwavering support. Their involvement in our first charity pickleball tournament was no exception. With their generous donations, we have been able to direct more resources into our programs, enhancing the quality and experience for the students and families we serve. We’re grateful to have such a dependable partner in MightyMeals. Hearts of Empowerment is committed to providing more opportunities and resources for the communities we serve, and access to nutritious meals is most definitely a part of that mission. MightyMeals not only contributes by donating meals at our events, but also helps raise awareness about the importance of healthy eating. Their support extends beyond just meals–they’ve helped organize/volunteer for our projects, and even our team members have benefited, with one losing over 40 pounds using MightyMeals! We’re proud to work with MightyMeals to promote healthier, more fulfilling lives for all.”
We’re incredibly grateful to Hearts of Empowerment for allowing us to be part of this monumental event, and we look forward to continuing our partnership to serve the community. Stay tuned for more MightyMeals community events and initiatives–and be sure to follow Hearts of Empowerment’s impactful work at www.heartsofempowerment.org and on their social media pages!