Stephanie Nash and Patty Tougas are spearheading a Nanaimo pickleball tournament that is also a fundraiser for the Loaves and Fishes Food Bank. (Dan Marshall/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Dan Marshall

Giving Back

Nanaimo pickleball tournament raising money for Loaves and Fishes Food Bank

Nov 14, 2025 | 12:23 PM

NANAIMO — Patty Tougas wanted to find a way for her pickleball community to help people in need.

The idea spawned the first annual Pickle for Hunger pickleball tournament in support of the Nanaimo Loaves and Fishes Food Bank.

“It was in my mind because I had been doing other types of charity work,” Tougas said. “Because I got into pickleball and it’s been such a great community and we always have tournaments I thought why not put something back to the community with Loaves and Fishes.”

Sixteen teams will take to the court at Oliver Woods Community Centre on Saturday, Nov. 15.

It will be more about fun than who wins, which Tougas said opened up the draw for some more inexperienced pickleballers.

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On the fundraising side, spokesperson Stephanie Nash said the support from the community has been amazing.

“Some revenue will come from the tournament itself, we’ve had a little bit of a competition between the teams to bring in donations on their own. We’ve put out the word to our membership about donating too. We had a goal of $2,000 and we’ve surpassed that already. We have added a heaviest donation for food amongst the teams so we expect a large food donation as well.”

Individuals and clubs from Vancouver Island have taken notice of this event and Nash is optimistic it will only grow from here.

“It’s an opportunity to build on the cause and get it to the forefront. This is phase one of this endeavour. Our hope is that pickleball clubs and communities across the island will take this idea and we can build it next November and make it an annual event.

Pickle for Hunger coincides with the lead up to the holiday season which is a critical time for the food bank.

Melissa Lavioe with Loaves and Fishes said these types of events are always welcome.

“Loaves and Fishes survives on donations and support from the community. We do ask for people to come to us with unique ideas for fundraisers and this is the first time we’ve ever had a pickleball club come together with such an ambitious fundraising idea. I’ve been amazed by their organization and by their enthusiasm. They’ve done such an outstanding job putting this whole thing together.”

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