This donation is a direct reflection of our values. But to understand why it was so critical, it's important to understand the scale of the crisis that unfolded. -
The Unprecedented Impact of the Shutdown
What happens when more than 42 million Americans—including 16 million children—suddenly can’t buy groceries?
This was the terrifying reality that began on November 1st. A federal government shutdown forced the U.S. Department of Agriculture to halt regular SNAP payments. The Oregon Department of Human Services confirmed that November benefits would not be issued until federal funding resumed, leaving hundreds of thousands of families across our state in a state of fear and uncertainty.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek called the situation “unprecedented,” condemning the use of hunger as a political bargaining chip.
The scope was staggering. Governor Kotek declared a state of emergency, directing $5 million to food banks that were instantly overwhelmed. While legal battles eventually forced the USDA to tap emergency funds, distribution was expected to take weeks—weeks that families living meal-to-meal simply did not have.
Our Commitment: Putting Portland Values into Action
As a creative agency rooted in Portland, we operate on a simple principle: a thriving community is essential for creativity and business. We recognized that the SNAP shutdown placed our neighbors at risk, and we decided to act in line with our mission of using our resources for social good.
Here is how we are directing our support:
- Supporting Heretic Coffee’s “SNAP Breakfast” Initiative: Our donation helps fund the ingredients, support for volunteer baristas, and operational costs of scaling this vital free meal program, ensuring it can continue to serve families as long as the need exists.
- Bolstering Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon’s Advocacy: Our contribution supports their essential work in advocacy, outreach, and emergency resource coordination, fighting for long-term solutions to hunger in Oregon.
For us, this is more than a donation, it's a promise to stand with our community, especially when it matters most.
The Portland Spirit: How Our Community Rose to the Challenge
In the face of federal failure, the heart of Portland beat louder. Our city’s true character shone through in the actions of local businesses and organizations who refused to let their neighbors go hungry.
Heretic Coffee Co.’s “SNAP Breakfast” Program
In Southeast Portland, the volunteer-run nonprofit café Heretic Coffee launched a radical initiative: free breakfast and coffee for anyone whose SNAP benefits ran out.
Their founder, Josh White, stated a powerful principle: “We would rather go bankrupt feeding our people than selling coffee while other families starve.”
This act of profound community solidarity went viral, inspiring other cafés and raising over $310,000 from more than 11,000 donors worldwide. It became a beacon of hope.
A Widespread Effort: Portland Businesses Step Up
The effort extended far beyond a single café. Local resource Bridgetown Bites compiled a list of 50 businesses across 84 locations offering free or discounted "SNAP meals," creating a crucial, accessible map for those in need. This collective action showed how local enterprise can respond with agility and heart where large systems fail.
The Fight for a Long-Term Solution: Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon
While immediate meals were essential, fighting the root causes of hunger and advocating for systemic change is a continuous battle. For nearly two decades, Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon (PHFO) has been at the forefront of this work.
In response to the freeze, PHFO:
- Condemned the SNAP disruption in coalition with the Oregon Hunger Task Force and Oregon Food Bank.
- Helped coordinate 225 organizations statewide to demand the USDA release contingency funds.
- Provided critical resources to help people find food and navigate their benefits.
PHFO called the benefit freeze “a cruel policy choice with devastating effects,” stressing that hunger should never be used as a political tool.
