Thread by @AfricanArchives

In 1969, the Black Panthers launched free breakfast programs across the US, feeding thousands of kids before school. The FBI called it a threat. In some cities, police raided kitchens, smashed food, and urinated on supplies to shut them down.

A THREAD

In January 1969, the Black Panther Party launched their Free Breakfast for Children Program, their first and most notable community effort, to feed kids who went to school hungry due to poverty. It was radical care in action. But the FBI called it a threat.

The Black Panthers, founded in 1966, built programs to tackle systemic issues like poverty and hunger. The Free Breakfast Program was a direct response to families unable to feed their kids before school. It aimed to nourish bodies and minds for learning.

By the end of 1969, the Panthers were serving full breakfasts—milk, bacon, eggs, grits, and toast—to 20,000 school-aged kids daily across 19 cities and 23 local affiliates. Nutritionists ensured high-quality, balanced meals, and permits were secured for kitchens

This was just one of over 60 Serve the People programs the Panthers ran. Others included free clothing, shoes, medical services (like drug and alcohol awareness), legal aid, and early childhood education—some of the first in the nation, predating Head Start

The FBI, led by J. Edgar Hoover’s COINTELPRO, branded the Panthers a “national hate group” and the breakfast program “subversive.” Why? It showed the Panthers could organize and meet needs the government ignored, challenging the system’s authority

Despite careful planning, police raids targeted the program. Cops stormed kitchens, smashed food, and even urinated on supplies to intimidate and shut sites down. Kids in need were caught in the crossfire, yet the Panthers persisted, serving with resilience

Educating is my passion, but it also takes time, energy, and resources to keep going.If you’ve enjoy my work, you can support the page directly through Ko-fi or Subscribe. Thank You! Link 👇🏽ko-fi.com/africanarchives