The Charlotte Hornets Foundation and Nourish Up announced today a $1 million investment through the Chairman’s Legacy Fund that will expand access to nutritious meals and essential support services for thousands of Mecklenburg County residents. The investment was celebrated at Nourish Up with the unveiling of Home Court Kitchen presented by the Charlotte Hornets.
Established in 2024 by Hornets Sports & Entertainment (HSE) Co-Chairmen Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin, the Chairman’s Legacy Fund represents ownership’s enduring commitment to creating meaningful, lasting change throughout Charlotte and the Carolinas through impactful, uplifting and generational community investments. This year’s initiative establishes a lifetime presenting partnership for Nourish Up’s new Home Court Kitchen, a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen that will dramatically expand the organization’s ability to serve homebound seniors and medically vulnerable neighbors.
Nourish Up currently delivers more than 143,000 medically tailored meals annually through its Meals on Wheels program. The new 10,000-plus-square-foot facility is expected to increase meal production capacity by up to five times while incorporating fresh, locally sourced ingredients, expanding medically tailored meal offerings, increasing volunteer engagement opportunities and improving operational efficiency. The enhanced capacity will allow more than 170,000 Mecklenburg County residents to safely age in place while receiving the nutritional support they need through grocery and meal programming.
“From day one, our vision for the Chairman’s Legacy Fund has been to invest in projects that create measurable, generational impact for the communities we serve,” said Hornets Sports & Entertainment Co-Chairmen Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin. “Home Court Kitchen presented by the Charlotte Hornets is more than a facility – it’s a commitment to dignity, health and independence for thousands of our neighbors. We are proud to partner with Nourish Up on a project that will strengthen our community today while creating a lasting legacy for future generations.”
Thursday’s unveiling event at Nourish Up featured a check presentation, ceremonial ribbon-cutting and tour of the facility. Hornets ownership, team executives, Nourish Up leadership, community partners and the Hornets 2026 NBA Draft class were in attendance to celebrate the opening of the Home Court Kitchen.
“We are deeply grateful to the Charlotte Hornets, especially the Hornets ownership group, for this extraordinary investment in our community,” said Nourish Up CEO Tina Postel. “Their belief in the Nourish Up mission to end food insecurity and build a community where everyone thrives strengthens our work and expands our impact. The new Home Court Kitchen presented by the Charlotte Hornets reflects what is possible when organizations come together with a shared commitment to ensuring every neighbor has the nourishment they need to succeed.”
The Chairman’s Legacy Fund continues to serve as a cornerstone of the organization’s community impact efforts. In its inaugural year, the Fund refurbished and transformed nine Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools gymnasiums, creating safe, inclusive state-of-the-art spaces for students. In 2025, it supported Hurricane Helene relief and recovery efforts across Western North Carolina, helping communities rebuild in the wake of the devastating storm.
With this latest investment, Hornets ownership continues to deepen its commitment to strengthening communities across the Carolinas, leveraging the power of sport, philanthropy and partnership to address critical needs and create opportunities that extend far beyond the basketball court.
