On the door at Taco Amigos in downtown Harrisburg, there’s a little sign that says, “Breadcoin Welcome Here.”
This coin, which now circulates in Harrisburg, feeds the hungry, assists small businesses and connects the community. It was founded in 2016 in Washington, D.C., by economist Scott Borger and consultant Cary Umhau.
“Breadcoin is a food token that ensures everyone is fed with dignity,” Umhau said.
Breadcoin arrived in Harrisburg in February 2022 and now has 15 vendors in the area, including 13 in the city.
Marcel Childs, co-owner of Taco Amigos, is one of those vendors. He and his wife Victoria Valencia often prepare food for the folks experiencing homelessness, whom they regularly encounter.
“It makes a way where they feel welcome to come in during the daytime hours, to get out of the cold and have a hot meal, as well,” Childs said.
Here’s how it works. Individuals or organizations purchase Breadcoin, which each have a value of $2.50. The coins then are given to folks who may not be able to afford a meal. They spend it at one of the participating eateries.
The coins do so much more than feed people.
“Every coin… feeds somebody, connects the community more deeply, resources a nonprofit, and supports local business,” Umhau said.
Breadcoin allows Childs to help the hungry, while supporting his bottom line.
So, why use Breadcoin and not just give someone a few dollars?
“A lot of people don’t like to just hand out money, not knowing where it might go,” Umhau said.
According to Borger, giving Breadcoin says, “I see you, and I want you to be able to have a meal.”
Breadcoin has a hyperlocal economic effect because vendors are specifically located in underserved areas. So, Breadcoin pushes spenders to those neighborhoods with synergistic results. Coins spent in the community support a local small business, its employees, and the community the business serves.
“A lot of community-giving exits the community quickly,” said David Vader, Breadcoin PA regional coordinator. In contrast, Breadcoin helps local small businesses, which adds vibrancy to the community.
Common Table
In addition to purchase by individuals, Breadcoin can be donated to local nonprofits, which then distribute the coins to those they serve.
One of those nonprofits is Tears for Tarina, which assists women fleeing domestic violence with a seven-bed safe house in Harrisburg. When founder Angel Fox first heard about Breadcoin, she almost couldn’t believe it.
“I was like, ‘There’s no way this is a thing,’” she said.
But she headed over to Taco Amigos, where she had never eaten, and presented the coin, and just like that, received her meal. A delicious one at that!
Fox provides Breadcoin to the women at the shelter.
“They love it because it’s usually on their bus route or at a restaurant close to their job,” she said. “So, in between them not being able to afford lunch or purchase lunch, it kind of works for them to be able to have this supplement.”
Fox also owns a laundromat, Fox’s Wash and Go, where she often provides Breadcoin to those who could use a meal.
This feeling of wholeness and being a part of the community is one of the hallmarks of Breadcoin.
“Breadcoin creates an entire economy around the fact that we all benefit from being around a common table,” Borger said. “And if you’re not including the marginalized, you are literally excluding them.”
Fox agrees that Breadcoin has a positive impact on individuals—and not just from the nourishment.
“You are able to go ahead and purchase something with dignity is what’s really great about it,” she said. “Regardless of what you have or what you look like, you can go into a restaurant and get a decent meal.”
Many restaurants have a “Four Coin Meal” special that provides “more bang for your buck,” Childs said. At Taco Amigos, that deal includes two tacos and a drink. Breadcoin, though, can be spent on anything on the menu.
Breadcoin also offers microloans to participating vendors. In fact, after his air conditioning failed during the summer heat wave, Childs was able to take advantage of one of those loans.
Breadcoin would like to become synonymous with food and community connection, here in Harrisburg.
“Basically we’ve created this Starbucks gift card, except that it’s for local mom and pop stores that are community-oriented,” Umhau said.
Childs of Taco Amigos has high hopes for Breadcoin, hoping it spreads nationwide. He also acknowledges the importance of caring for the community.
“It’s very heartwarming to see people not only enjoy your food, but you can be the difference for this person who then may pay it forward some day,” he said.
Find Breadcoin vendors, learn more about the program, and purchase or donate to Breadcoin at www.breadcoin.org.
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