About 519Pursuit

Community Outreach

365 days a year, our teams are on the ground. We distribute hot lunches, snack packs, clothing, hygiene products and essential seasonal gear, ensuring that even those who are most isolated and hard-to-reach are never forgotten.

Sock Pledge

Our signature annual campaign mobilizes the entire community to tackle one of the most persistent needs on the street. Through the 519Pledge for Socks, we turn a simple necessity into a city-wide movement of awareness and support.

Community Events

We believe in the power of community. Through our "Better Days" events, we bring the community to the encampment, fostering social connection through games, food, and shared experiences that remind our friends they are valued members of our city.

Our mission is to create friendships with a lasting connection and positive impact.

Our vision is an inclusive community where those facing extreme poverty can hit the reset button in order to re-energize, overcome their unique challenges, and reach their full potential.

Who we are:

519Pursuit is a community-owned, grassroots movement to support those experiencing homelessness in London, Ontario. At 519Pursuit, we believe that the first step toward stability isn’t a transaction—it’s a relationship.

While many traditional services focus on the vital "what" of support (food, clothing, and shelter), our mission centres on the "how." We operate on a friendship-based approach, meeting our friends exactly where they are—in encampments, bus shelters, and alleyways—not just to deliver supplies, but to offer a consistent, empathetic presence in a world that often looks the other way.

The 519 Difference: Friendship-First Outreach

The core of our work is built on trust. For many of our friends experiencing homelessness, the loss of autonomy and identity is as devastating as the lack of housing. By showing up daily with a hot meal and an open ear, we provide more than just sustenance; we provide dignity.

Our volunteers don’t just "drop off" items; they learn names, listen to stories, and celebrate the small wins—whether it’s a new piece of art shared from a sketchbook or the simple joy of choosing their own pair of socks. This foundation of trust allows us to act as a bridge, helping our friends navigate complex systems and connect with further resources when they are ready.

Our Impact

2026 Impact Report

Our Community Partners

Our History

On a cold winter evening in November of 2017, Co-Founder Allison DeBlaire took a crock pot of chicken noodle soup behind a local shelter and served those who could not get a bed that night. After the first gentleman had a taste of the soup, he made an announcement that there was real chicken in the soup and others came running for a bowl. For years working as a Security Guard, Allison was often the voice of exclusion asking individuals facing homelessness to move along. This instilled a want to do better for others and the London community. Through time, empathy and effort; a friendship based approach was created to support individuals facing homelessness and extreme poverty. With the help of Co-Founder Amber Irvine and other volunteers, 519Pursuit grew into an operational Organization and Community Outreach Team.

In March of 2020 a global pandemic hit and friends facing homelessness and extreme poverty were in need of a little extra support. 519Pursuit formed incredible partnerships with The London Food Bank and RBC Place London to help fill the gaps in food security and many volunteers joined 519Pursuit to check on friends living rough (homeless and unsheltered).

These partnerships are flourishing and stronger than ever today. Currently 519Pursuit operates actively in the community through Outreach connecting with friends facing homelessness and extreme poverty Monday-Friday. The partnership with The London Food Bank and RBC Place London has grown to include Y.O.U. (You Made it Cafe) to support food security.

These operations would not be possible without our ongoing partnerships in the community as well as the support from donors each week. Our operations also includes an incredible donation team who host donation days twice a week. These donations fuel our care package program.

Since the crockpot of chicken noodle soup and the official launch of 519Pursuit so many lives have been impacted. We are grateful for each and every person, business, community partner and donor who has taken time to support our mission, become a part of our story and shine the light on homelessness in London, On.

Without YOU there is no 519Pursuit!

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