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 SNAPbenefits 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…