Portland coffee shop offers free breakfast for SNAP recipients during shutdown

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - Heretic Coffee Company, located in southeast Portland, is offering free breakfasts to customers who are losing their SNAP benefits, amid the ongoing government shutdown.

“When the system fails us, it’s up to one another to take care of one another,” said owner Josh White.

White just opened Heretic two years ago. When he found out that millions of Americans could lose their SNAP benefits starting Nov. 1, he knew he had to act. On Sunday, he took to social media and announced that starting Nov. 1, Heretic would offer a free breakfast to those in need, no questions asked.

But when a young boy walked into the cafe, asking if he could get the free meal a few days early, White immediately changed his schedule.

“[It] absolutely broke our hearts,” White said. “And so out of sheer anger and emotion I just tweeted out, ‘It’s open.’”

After that, White said his social media posts started to blow up. On Tuesday, Heretic had received $75,000 in donations from Portlanders and even folks across the globe.

“Donations have poured in from Australia, Ireland, Egypt, and beyond,” White wrote in an Instagram post.

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As of Wednesday morning, Heretic had received more than $183,000 and counting. While some small, local businesses might take a hit by giving away free meals, this was not a concern for White.

“If we went bankrupt because we gave away everything, I don’t care,” White said. “I can go to bed and sleep easy at night knowing that I did what I could in that moment.”

On Thursday morning, Heretic’s parking lot was full and the cafe had a line out the door. As Heretic’s story spreads across the internet, local customers have been pouring in to show their support.

“For me personally, being a mom, it just is really important to see that other moms and families are taken care of,” said Makayla Reeder, who brought her young daughter with her to Heretic on Thursday. “I want to be able to pay it forward when I can.”

Other customers told FOX 12 that Heretic Coffee Company is just one example that proves the recent narrative that Portland is a “war-ravaged” city wrong.

“I’ve been really proud of Portland to show the world how, for instance, we protest with humor and with spirit,” said Daniel Flessas. “And now this is an example of how people pull together in a crisis.”

And while the government shutdown continues, White said Heretic will continue to live up to its name.

“Our name Heretic means to defy the established institution of something,” he said. “And right now, what that means is when the actual government institution can’t feed our people, we will help create some sort of system and process in order to feed people.”

The free SNAP breakfast at Heretic includes a cup of coffee and a breakfast burrito. Heretic has a link to donate on its website.