In the spring of 2020, amid the pandemic, Mackenzie Baxfield, recently laid off as an events coordinator, and Evan Reeks from the restaurant industry, noticed the severe impact of COVID-19 on the Downtown East Side and the massive food waste. They decided to recover and redistribute food to those in need. In April 2021, they serendipitously met Roman Ansari, the Director of Admissions at a college where they were registering for a course. Sharing their vision for aiding the Downtown East Side, they collaborated with Roman, who used his law and finance expertise to help establish their initiative as a legal Not-for-Profit Organization. By November 2021, The Heart Tattoo Society was officially registered and has continued to thrive with community support. With the backing of various business partners, the organization has expanded its reach and impact, further strengthening its role in supporting vulnerable populations.
Alysha Flint
Managing Director
Mackenzie Baxfield
Program Co-ordinator
Tina Shaw
Distribution Manager
Stanley George
Distribution Manager
Abdel Elatouabi
Volunteer Sous Chef
Tinei Chipudhla
Preparation and Receiving
Mary Jane (MJ)
Preparation and Receiving
Lisa Pan
Volunteer Chinatown Liason
Zen Wilson
Volunteer Cook
Ciaran Costello
Volunteer Coordinator
Cassandra Lorusso
Preparation and Receiving
Explore various ways you can get involved and make an impact. If you have any questions or need more information, don’t hesitate to reach out to us via email.
Our Community. Your Impact. Making a positive influence on the lives of the Downtown Eastside community.