Though Puerto Rico has moved off the front pages of the news, the devastation wrought by Hurricane Maria two months ago is nonetheless still very real citizens of the island, and many are still in major need of assistance. If you live in Portland, you can help aid your fellow Americans by taking part in Portland Feeds Puerto Rico, a weeklong pop-up series featuring Puerto Rican-based chefs and barista taking over the kitchens and espresso machines all around town. And the first coffee event takes place tomorrow with 2014 and 2015 Puerto Rico Latte Art Champion and owner of Santruce-based Café Comunión Abner Roldan taking over Water Avenue Coffee.
Roldan has been active over the past two months, trying to raise funds to reopen his cafe. Now that his GoFundMe has reached its $5,000 goal, Roldan continues to raise funds for others in Puerto Rico. Starting at Water Avenue tomorrow, Roldan is teaming up with Kali Solack—owner of Café Regina in Santruce—to serve coffee and chocolate-covered churros from Portalnd’s 180 Xurros, with the proceeds going to the Cosa Nuestra Relief Fund and the Animal Rescue relief fund.
Roldan and Solack will then move on to Foxy Coffee on Wednesday to serve coffee from Puerto Rico with games of dominoes, traditional Puerto Rican music, and more churros. On Friday, the duo will be taking over Stumptown Coffee’s downtown location for more coffee and more churros. Their last stop will be on Sunday, where they will join forces with visiting chefs Paxx Caraballo and Mario Pagan at Ataula Restaurant for a Puerto Rican brunch service.
Though not hosting Roldan or Solack, Upper Left Roasters is joining a handful of restaurants, cocktail bars, and wine spots featuring specials as part of the fundraising efforts. Just ask for the #PDX4PR special.
For more information on PDX Feeds Puerto Rico and to see a full list of participating locations, visit their official website. And if you are unable to attend but still want to help their cause, #PDX4PR is accepting donations directly through their website.
But I’d rather help out by drinking coffee and eating churros.
Zac Cadwalader is the news editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge.
*top image via PDX Feeds Puerto Rico
