Giving Grace: Hilton Head coffee shop owners offer humanity amid SNAP uncertainty
They say that coffee is God’s gift to mankind. But sometimes, the real gift isn’t just the hot latte in a mug — it’s the generosity of the people behind the counter.
Local coffee shop owners, Elise and Matt Higgins, have joined a growing list of establishments that opened their doors to support families affected by disruptions in their federal food assistance. The Higgins’ own Origin Coffee Bar, which has locations in Savannah and on Hilton Head Island.
The couple posted on social media, encouraging those who lost their SNAP benefits to stop in and order food and drinks for free, no questions asked, until 100% are benefits are restored or until they “go broke.”
Some families are finally receiving their November SNAP benefits, but many others are still waiting. Funding for federal food assistance has been disrupted since regular appropriations expired on Oct. 1.
On Monday, the Senate approved a funding bill, which means that the uncertainty over SNAP could be solved this week if the government shutdown ends. If the House passes the Senate-approved funding bill and President Donald Trump signs it, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will have the authority to release the remaining funds to all 50 states. State agencies would then distribute those payments.
For the Higgins, the decision to give community members a place to find their next meal was simple. It stems from growing up with generous families who always found space in their time or budgets to help others in need.
“If I can do something about it,” Elise said, “I don’t see why I wouldn’t.”
The coffee shop has also opened up the opportunity for community members to donate funds to sponsor the meals. So far, they’ve received more than $12,000 in donations from people across the country, from North Carolina to Arkansas, Chicago to New York City. One of the donations came with a simple message: Community is more than the neighborhood.
Many donations are coming from the neighborhood, as well.
“It’s incredible,” Matt said, “It’s a $100 donation after $250 donation after other $100 donation. It’s minutes apart from each other, so it’s one person after another in line just being so generous with their money to help others in need.”
‘A basic human right’
Matt and Elise typically work in the back of the shop to allow more room for patrons. On Thursday, the couple instead worked from the front of the shop to see how the initiative was playing out in real time. They said they saw many young families and mothers with children approaching the register, asking for coffee and a warm meal.
“Food is a basic human right,” Elise said. The couple has a one-year-old and are pregnant with their second child. She said she can’t imagine the toll losing benefits has taken on mothers and fathers trying to feed their children.
And with “so much division in our world these days,” Matt said, it has filled the couple with hope to see people from all walks of life come together to help their community.
“That’s been bringing us to tears on a daily basis,” he said.
