At Lionhearts, we often speak about service, impact, and community. We measure meals served, agencies helped, and people housed. But behind every number, every box packed, and every delivery made is something far less quantifiable and far more powerful: the human heart.
To modern ears, the heart is mostly symbolic. We associate it with emotion, compassion, and love, while we credit the brain with logic and decision-making. Yet for most of human history, people believed the heart was the true centre of thought, will, and moral judgment.
In ancient Egypt, the heart was considered the seat of intelligence and character. During the weighing of the heart ceremony, it was believed that one’s heart would be measured against a feather to determine the integrity of one’s life. The message was clear: what guided your decisions mattered deeply.
In Hebrew wisdom literature, the “heart” was not just about feelings. It represented the core of a person’s mind, intention, and moral compass. To “set one’s heart” on something meant to choose it fully, thoughtfully, and with conviction.
Across cultures and centuries, the heart has represented more than sentiment. It has symbolized integration: the joining of thought, feeling, courage, and action.
That perspective resonates deeply with our mission at Lionhearts. Every day, decisions are made across this organization. Some are strategic and financial. Others are operational and logistical. Many are deeply personal. Do we stretch our resources a little further to meet an unexpected need? Do we pivot to respond to changing circumstances or a time-sensitive need?
Spreadsheets and policies matter. Governance matters. Stewardship matters. But the heart must be present in those decisions.
Making decisions from the heart does not mean abandoning prudence or discipline. It does not mean reacting impulsively or ignoring risk. Instead, it means allowing compassion to inform strategy. It means ensuring that the “why” behind our work remains visible in the “how.”
It means remembering that every delivery represents hope to a family navigating stress, relief to an agency balancing difficult choices, and encouragement to someone who needs to know they are not alone.
There is courage in heart-led decisions. The Latin word cor means heart, and it is the root of the word “courage.” To act with courage is, quite literally, to act with heart. In a world that often prioritizes efficiency, competition, and self-interest, choosing compassion can feel countercultural. Yet it is precisely that choice that defines who we are.
The ancient belief that the heart is the centre of judgment carries a powerful reminder. Our legacy will not be determined solely by scale or speed or numbers, but by alignment with our values - by whether our collective heart remains aligned with our mission to serve.
To everyone on Team Lionhearts: thank you for leading with heart. Thank you for choosing compassion over indifference, generosity over hesitation, and courage over comfort. Together, we are not only meeting needs. We are demonstrating that when decisions flow from the heart, communities flourish.
Travis Blackmore
Founder and CEO, Lionhearts
HQ News
It's Cold out there
Can you believe Coldest Night of the Year is this week?
On Saturday, February 28, we’ll be walking up to 5 kilometres to support those experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness in our community.
It's not too late! Register and sign up today!
Kingston News
A Sheltered life
At the start of this year, there were 572 individuals documented as experiencing homelessness in Kingston.
In March, we'll have the unique opportunity to learn some of their stories.
Join local artists Shari Doseger, Ben Spadzinski, and Kyla Todd as they unveil a new gallery entitled "Portraits of Resilience" at the Tett Gallery.
Join us on Saturday, March 7 at 5 p.m. for a grand opening reception, or make a plan to visit between 2 and 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday (March 8-12), or 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday March 13.
It's a Match
On Valentine's Day, we're thankful for the love from our friends at the Rotary Club of Kingston Frontenac. They contributed $10,000 towards an exciting new project - take note, fans of Fresh Food Market Pop Up Kingston!The markets will soon be selling ready-made, affordable meals, straight from the Lionhearts Kitchen!
This donation from Rotarians will help with equipment purchase and other expenses associated with getting this program up and running.
Ottawa News
Fan Mail
"Through the donations you organized and provided, we were able to support many families each week with food, cleaning supplies, and personal care items. Your generosity also made it possible for us to offer children’s gifts during the holidays, provide prizes for community events, and supply other essentials that help keep the Community House running. Everything you have done is truly appreciated by both our team and the community we serve."
-Angela, Michele Heights
A Spudtacular Surprise
That is a whole lotta lettuce and a spud-tacular amount of potatoes!
We got right to work redistributing 12 pallets of lettuce and 14 pallets of potatoes. If you're wondering how many potatoes that is, some back-of-the-napkin math says that's probably about 35,000 of them!
We're able to rescue and give this food to these agencies because you give to us. Your donations make our recovery work possible. Thank you for your generous support!
London
Open For Business
Thank you London! We are grateful for all those who helped formally welcome us to London at our Warehouse Grand Opening on Friday.
Special thanks to Mayor Josh Morgan for helping to bring this to life and for his kind opening remarks. Thanks also go out to our sponsors and partners, and to our landlord and proud supporters at Dancor Construction!
Big Help for Small Houses
London, like many cities across Canada, is facing significant challenges related to housing affordability and homelessness.
One of the ways the City of London is responding to this challenge is through a Micro-Modular Shelter which features 60 shelter units supporting up to 70 individuals currently experiencing homelessness.
We were pleased to meet Jammie, the site director for the shelter, and provide her with food and goods for shelter guests.
Thank you, Jammie, for the opportunity to serve our community!
