When the government shutdown in November disrupted SNAP benefits for thousands of families, many parents faced the heartbreaking reality of not knowing how they would feed their children. Many people expressed the difficult necessity of foregoing a meal so they could feed their kids instead. With our purpose at Café Yumm! to nourish humanity and the world, we believe that no child should go hungry. And, thanks to our incredible community, we were able to help make a difference. 

Through our SNAP Bowl Program, we offered a free small Yumm! Bowl® to kids whose SNAP benefits were cut off. Together, we served nearly 300 meals to children who might have otherwise gone without. Each bowl represented more than just food—it was a moment of care, dignity, and hope. 

We also felt compelled to support organizations in our community that provide critical resources for people facing food insecurity throughout the year. To do this, we committed to donating a percentage of November sales to the Oregon Food Bank and its affiliated food pantries in Lane County, Linn Benton Counties, Clark County (Vancouver, WA), and the Portland Metro. These hunger relief organizations do incredible work to feed those in need, and we’re honored to support their mission.  

These actions are a continuation of our decades-long partnership with Food for Lane County and the Oregon Food Bank to address food insecurity in the communities we serve. Over the years, Cafe Yumm! has been able to provide more than $100,000 in cash donations and nearly 125,000 pounds of food donated to these organizations. That equals almost 275,000 meals donated in Lane County alone! We look forward to strengthening our commitment and making a continued impact in the years to come.

Launching the SNAP Bowl Program and committing a percentage of sales this year was a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together to help others. We couldn’t do it without YOU—our amazing guests. Thank you for supporting us. Another shoutout of gratitude goes to our awesome restaurant teams for leading with our purpose. Together, we’ve demonstrated that compassion and community can create real change! 

Looking for more ways to help? Visit the Oregon Food Bank and Food For Lane County to learn more about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and fundraising efforts.