CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — With federal SNAP benefits facing potential funding disruptions, The Literary, a popular bookstore café in downtown Champaign, is stepping up to help local families put food on the table.
Starting Tuesday, the café will provide one free meal per weekday to anyone who shows a SNAP card between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Meals will be served from a special “Oh SNAP!” menu, created to make nutritious options accessible during the funding gap.
“We know times are tough for everyone right now,” the owners shared in a statement. “If SNAP benefits aren’t funded, they’ll get even tougher. We feel lucky that we’re able to help in our own little way.”
In addition to the free meals, The Literary is launching a “Community Gift Card” that allows customers to contribute funds toward additional meals for SNAP recipients. Any remaining balance will be donated to the Eastern Illinois Foodbank once federal benefits are restored.
“We want this to be a community effort,” the owners said. “Together, we can do more for our neighbors than The Literary could do alone.”
The café also encourages residents to spread the word so that those who rely on SNAP know where they can find support. The Literary, located at 122 N. Neil St. in downtown Champaign, has been serving food, coffee, and books to the community since 2021.