Lionhearts.ca

Our Story.

Delivering Hope Since 2014.

Lionhearts' History

Lionhearts Inc. began in 2014 in Kingston Ontario when Founder and CEO Travis Blackmore, a former touring musician turned retail manager, had the opportunity to partner with Costco to rescue thousands of pounds of produce. A friend who worked there introduced him to the store's manager who agreed to donate unsold produce, on the condition that Travis showed up every day, at the same time, sorted it off-site, didn't sell it, and made sure it was given to those who were struggling.

Read More Annual Report

2015

Regular pickups in Kingston started at Costco, COBS Bread, Starbucks, and more.

2017

Adopted the name Lionhearts Inc.

2017

The Embassy Live Music Cafe launched, and so did FAST 101.

2017

Expansion into Ottawa began.

2020

Launched the COVID Street Project, which served 380,000 meals in 18 months.

2021

Launched the Lionhearts Kitchen and Community Nutrition programs, and welcomed Kingston Street Mission as part of our programming.

2022

Community Food Redistribution Warehouse opens in Kingston

2022

Launched the Kingston Student Food Box program, and expanded into shelter operations and supportive housing.

2023

Ottawa warehouse opened and regular pickups started at Amazon's Ottawa warehouses. Launched Fresh Food Market Pop-Ups in Kingston.

2024

Expansion into London began.

Our Leadership

Travis Blackmore

Founder and CEO

Travis Blackmore is the driving force behind Lionhearts Inc., a rapidly growing eastern Ontario charity that radically changes lives and communities by restoring hope, empowering people, and showing love.

Travis founded Lionhearts after being inspired and challenged to serve the marginalized first in Kingston and, starting in 2019, in Ottawa, where he now lives with his wife and four children.

Prior to founding Lionhearts, Travis was a professional drummer.

Ben Kennedy

Chief Operating Officer

Ben Kennedy is the Chief Operating Officer of Lionhearts Inc., where he provides strategic leadership across all cities of operation, overseeing logistics, finance, staffing, and organizational development. With a background in operations management, finance, and governance, Ben helps drive scalable growth while ensuring the charity remains rooted in its mission to serve those experiencing hunger, homelessness, and hardship.

Before joining Lionhearts, Ben held senior roles in the financial sector and served on several nonprofit boards. He brings over 15 years of leadership experience building systems that support people, partnerships, and community transformation.

Ben lives in Ottawa with his wife and four children, and is passionate about creating solutions that restore dignity and hope for vulnerable populations across Canada.

Board of Directors

Cornelia Abrams
Board Chair

Mike Welch
Treasurer

Dawn Blackmore
Secretary

Darren McDermitt
Director

Elisabeth Meyer
Director