BY IME EKPO • JANUARY 28, 2019

About four years ago, ultimate Hip-Hop legend Nas became the co-owner of American comfort food joint Sweet Chick. Now, the “New York State of Mind” rapper is leveraging his impact to help those in need. Amid the stifled financial status of federal workers during the historic 2019 government shutdown, the popular restaurant has been generous to workers by offering them free meals.

According to Daily News Sweet Chick co-owner John Seymour says it was Nas’ idea to conduct the gesture who dropped the idea on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. “We wanted to do something positive,” said Seymour. “There are a lot of hard-working people out there not getting a paycheck. We wanted to take care of the people who take care of us.” All said federal employees needed to qualify for free grub was the federal identification issued to them from the sector of government they are employed with.

Nas shared the news on his Instagram last Tuesday, starting the post off with a quote from the late civil rights monarch, Martin Luther King Jr. ” ‘Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ -MLK.” The post proceeds on to announce the charitable gesture which was stationed at all locations, including the booming West Hollywood, California location. “today at all @sweetchicklife locations we honor the words of Dr King and in support of our Government Employees we are offering FREE Chicken & Waffles Mon-Friday 11am-4pm to all Federal Employees impacted by the shutdown…please have Federal ID and we hope to serve you as you have served us . LOVE #SweetChickLife”

Each location of the comfort food chain has since reportedly fed about 40 federal workers a day. William Reyes, the manager over at the Williamsburg location told Daily News that about 60 workers came to feast on chicken and waffles last Thursday. “There are a lot of people in need,” he said. “People who know what we’re doing are appreciative.”

On Friday (Jan. 25), President Trump signed a measure to reopen the government, which is an overall temporary resolution that will reopen the federal government and provide funding until Feb. 15. Thankful, Sweet Chick is here to recuse those workers who are in limbo about where and how they will get there daily dose of energy. Salute to the mind of Nas.

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