(Lionhearts received one of their largest deliveries on July 27th – a truckload of potatoes from Manitoba. Helping to manage, sort and repackage the large bins are l-r Lionhearts employees, Stephen, Kiara and Lee-Anne. Photos: Stittsville Central)
Lionhearts Inc. Ottawa, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of hunger through food recovery efforts with a mission that no food should go to waste. At the June Stittsville Volunteer Awards, Travis Blackmore was the guest speaker. Travis is the brainchild behind Lionhearts who began his work in Kingston, Ontario before expanding to Stittsville in 2023 to serve organizations across Ottawa.
Travis shared his story of the ‘ad’venture he had entered. He was passionate about food recovery and had a friend who worked at the local Kingston Costco who lined up a meeting with the manager to arrange food recovery for the food that Costco was tossing out daily.
The catch, he would have to be at Costco by 6:00am every day for the pick-up. The next morning he arrived and discovered 800 pounds of strawberries awaiting him. His Dad managed a church so he was able to take the three carloads of strawberries there. He started phoning organizations to take the strawberries and soon realized that these organizations did not have the capability or capacity of handling large quantities of food every day. This was the door that opened for Lionhearts to become a charitable food distribution agency.
On July 27th another large delivery to Stittsville would be awaiting distribution – a potato rescue would be taking place. Lionhearts Inc. and Foodsharing Ottawa (partners in the potato rescue event) would be receiving and distributing 29,000 pounds of potatoes recovered from Manitoba. This significant amount of potatoes will support individuals and families across Ottawa by providing approximately 60,000 meals.
At 11:00am the truck arrived and waiting to offload, sort and repack 29,000 pounds of potatoes into manageable boxes, were ten volunteers giving their time for this project. The volunteers were made up of folks from Lionhearts and Starbucks, along with Lionhearts’ Operations Manager, Stephen La Salle; Distribution Co-Ordinator, Lee-Anne Haggett; Kiara Gocan, Digital Marketing Co-Ordinator; and their dedicated volunteer Monty.
Kiara told us, “the over 29,000 pounds of potatoes will be used to make good nutritious meals, as well as Lionhearts’ agency partners – food banks, community homes, and shelters – receiving delivery of the potatoes.”
Added Kiara, “our agency partners will then distribute the potatoes throughout their respective communities!” Lionhearts does not tell partners how to distribute the food or goods once they have been delivered.
It was a sight to behold seeing the large boxes that held over 29,000 pounds of potatoes in the back of the transport truck. The team were quick to get to work by filling smaller boxes to be kept in the warehouse until distribution. Foodsharing Ottawa had also received a smaller quantity of potatoes to be sorted and distributed. It was also very hot for all those who had volunteered their time, but that didn’t deter the speed at which the potatoes were sorted and the boxes filled! Monty was kept busy loading and stacking the boxes on pallets in preparation for the pick-up.
The organizations who will be sharing in this truck full of potatoes are:
- Ottawa Mission
- Shepherds of Good Hope – Murray Street
- Harvest House
- Matthew House
- Barrhaven Food Cupboard
- Kanata Food Cupboard
- Stittsville Food Bank
- Lanark County Food Bank
- Richmond Food Bank
- Partage Vanier Food Bank
- Pinecrest Terrace Community House
- Morrison Gardens Community House
- Foster Farm Community House
- Michele Heights Community House
- Winthrop Court Community House
- Brittania Woods Community House
- Compassion Centre
- Caldwell Family Centre
- Sadaqa Food Bank
- Chrysalis House
- OIM
- Lionhearts Kingston
- Life Centre
- Richmond Carefor
- FAMSAC
The people of Ottawa are fortunate that Travis had a passion for food recovery and put into action a plan for facilities in Kingston, followed by Stittsville, that serves so many in the communities.
Lionhearts, named for Aslan – the lion in The Chronicles of Narnia, arrived in Stittsville in 2023 and are located at 119 Iber Road. You can follow Lionhearts on Facebook or learn more about the organization on their website.
WHAT AN INSPIRING STORY – CONGRATULATIONS AND THANKS TO ALL INVOLVED. UP AND AT IT AY 9:00 AM!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU