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By Melissa Fleur Afshar
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A small, nonprofit coffee shop in southeast Portland, Oregon, has become the unexpected face of grassroots resistance to a federal shutdown that threatens to cut off food access for millions of Americans.
Heretic Coffee Co. moved social-media users on October 26 with a message posted to Threads: "If your SNAP benefits are running out, then breakfast is on us. NO ONE should have to worry about their next meal. Portland fam, we know it’s not much, but we’ll do our best to keep you fed. Starting November 1st, each day 8 a.m.-2 p.m."
The message quickly went viral on the platform, with over 16,000 likes, thousands of shares and posts from other creators that seek to elevate the cafe's mission. Heretic’s offer came just days before millions of Americans were expected to lose access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as the federal government shutdown entered its 31st day. About 1 in 8 Americans receive food assistance from SNAP, which distributes monthly benefits for groceries to low-income families in need of support.
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Attached to Heretic’s post was an image that read: "Starting November 1st if you are losing your SNAP benefits and are unsure how to feed your family, then breakfast is on us, no proof needed, no questions asked."
The message spread rapidly across social media, prompting an outpouring of support.
In a post dated October 28, the cafe shared an update with followers: "This Saturday, SNAP benefits run out. Portland, here’s our game plan: SNAP breakfast’s start Saturday at 9:30 a.m., we will go until we run out of either burritos or money to buy them. No proof needed, no questions asked. Just ask for the ‘SNAP breakfast’ and our baristas will know what to do."
The same update revealed that Heretic was teaming up with Reed College students to prepare meals and distribute them to families.
"You will be able to pick up pre-made meals at 9:30," the post read, adding that a local nonprofit would also be on-site to provide toiletries such as toothbrushes, shampoo and feminine hygiene products.
"As always, no questions asked, no proof needed. Just take what you need," the post concluded.
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On the same day, Heretic posted a more urgent message after an unexpected visitor prompted them to act early: "We just had a kid—a literal CHILD—come into the shop and ask if they could ‘get the SNAP breakfast a couple days early.’ This breaks my heart. No child should EVER have to ask for food … SNAP breakfast is open as of now. Come get fed. Don’t go hungry. Open until 2 p.m."
By October 29, donations had poured in from across the country and beyond.
"As of Tuesday at 10 a.m., you’ve donated $72,159.66 to keep our people fed. Over two thousand of you have given toward this cause," the shop's team posted. "We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: when the system fails us, it’s on everyday people to take care of each other. This, right here, is the proof."
That figure reached over $184,000 yesterday.
The shop continues to operate its donation page and meal program, with plans to keep feeding families for as long as its resources last.
Newsweek reached out to Heretic Coffee Co. for more information via email.
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