“We’ve got biscuits and gravy or pancakes, hot and ready for you! Come have breakfast, on us. We are here for you.”
Those words from the Humble Pig Cafe in Molalla Wednesday morning, which has been serving free meals to displaced residents and first responders throughout 10 days of the wildfire crisis — even as encroaching flames forced their own evacuation for several days.
But fleeing their small cafe on Main Street — which has become a community gathering place despite being open just over a year — barely slowed them down. They set up shop in the kitchen of Sheridan’s 52nd Ave. Sports Bar in Northeast Portland, and continued cranking out hundreds of free and delicious meals each day.
“We fed a lot of people fed today, but hope to feed even more of you tomorrow,” one of the owners, Sarah Shanky, said on Facebook Friday. The other owner, Joe Selinger, is the main chef. Ellen Bush, their friend and employee, has also been on the front lines with them each day.
“I will keep everyone posted on where we will be, but please reach out if you or someone you know is in need,” Shanky continued. “We have resources to help. Feed you, yours, your animals, evacuate you, yours or your animals. Whatever you need. We are here. Thank you for being our community, our friends. We will get through this together.”
The cafe has been accepting donations, either for their own free meals or for sharing with the community, through Good Roots Church in Oak Grove. Restaurants, farms and local residents have helped keep the Humble Pig going.
Highgate Farm Products in Molalla donated some fresh, free-range beef Tuesday — which turned into hamburgers later that day. Voodoo Doughnut has also been sending pink boxes of goodies to share with local residents through the Humble Pig.
Although admitting Thursday morning they were “starting to tire,” the cafe has been steadfast — one constant in a turbulent time for so many.
“Today, I am thankful to be watching our friends and family come home,” Shanky said. “It’s been a long, scary week and change. I just am so blessed to be part of this beautiful community and have such beautiful neighboring communities as well.”
For more information, contact The Humble Pig Cafe on Facebook or at 503-329-4969. Cash contributions may be made through Venmo: