Rotary members from all the local Rotary clubs including Rotaract gathered in person at Fanshawe College and via zoom to hear the exciting news from CEO Travis Blackmore of Lionhearts Inc., a large, volunteer organization based in Kingston and Ottawa that sources a wide variety of products from Amazon, Costco, Walmart and other merchants (returned, surplus and mis-ordered items that otherwise are sent to landfill) and makes them available for free to non-profit organizations and agencies that serve disenfranchised and challenged persons and families in local neighbourhoods.  Lionhearts began in Kingston in 2014 and several years later expanded to Ottawa.  Both sites operate with active involvement and support from local Rotary Clubs.   Lionhearts also works collaboratively with existing organizations like Harvest Hands (already meeting food needs) to ensure no duplication but rather offers enhancements and expansions to their programs. Goods are also available at no cost to Rotary Clubs’ own projects (as just one example, backpacks filled with school supplies for children at schools in low income neighbourhoods).   For more information ahead of the meeting, visit  https://www.lionhearts.ca/ 

 

Lionhearts is now exploring an expansion of their operations to London, Ontario in the near future.  They are presently looking to secure a large warehouse (30,000 sq feet) where goods can be received, sorted, and made available to groups supporting persons in need.   They have already met with the Mayor to solicit support and cooperation from the City of London.