11/04/2025
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When Josh White learned that some people could lose their food benefits from the SNAP program on November 1, 2025, his heart broke. Josh is the owner of Heretic Coffee Co. in Portland, Oregon, and he thought about parents who might not have enough to feed their kids breakfast or lunch. That's when he made a brave choice.
Josh told his customers that anyone who lost their benefits could come in for a free breakfast burrito and a cup of coffee. He wanted his coffee shop to be a place where people felt seen, cared for, and never hungry. Some critics told him it was too much and that his business would go bankrupt. But in an interview with ABC News, Josh said, "That's fine. If we literally have to shut our doors, if we go broke making sure children have food for breakfast, I’m really OK if that’s the reason why we lose our business."
Then something incredible happened. The community came together, and people donated money from all over the world. In a short time, Heretic Coffee raised over $300,000 to serve free meals. Josh just wanted to help people in need and was willing to lose everything he worked for to do it. And as a result, he inspired over 11,000 people to help too. That's the true definition of selflessness.
📸 (Photo: Josh White / Heretic Coffee Co.)
