As some Bay Area families learned they would not receive their SNAP benefits for the month of November , restaurants across the region are stepping up to help.

For one small business in Oakland, this story hits close to home because not long ago, they were the ones in need.

Inside Puerto Rican Street Cuisine, owner Eric Rivera moves quickly through his kitchen, stirring a pot of rice as salsa music plays in the background.

"They used to call me Soup Kitchen E, cause I was always quick to give out samples. Like, look here, try this," Rivera said with a laugh. "Our food is comfort food. If you ever went into a Puerto Rican household or a kitchen, you are going to hear salsa music playing and somebody's cooking."

But behind the rhythm and energy of his restaurant is a story of resilie

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