It’s summer. It’s hot. It’s the perfect time for a scoop of ice cream. Ice cream that donates a part of the proceeds to organizations in need? Great! Just give me the ice cream. But apparently buying ice cream isn’t that simple when the aforementioned organization is Planned Parenthood.
What’s the Scoop?, an ice cream shop in Portland, chose Planned Parenthood as its donation recipient during July; then, a pro-life website picked up the story and so began the barrage of harassment. They’ve been receiving angry messages and threats (just take a look at the Facebook comments!) The scoop shop posted the following on Facebook for their July 17th event that sparked such controversy:
Okay, first of all, that flavor sounds so yum. 4 types of vanilla??? This needs to be taste tested ASAP. However, the anti-choice website was shocked to find out the flavor wasn’t “Blood and Scream!”
I mean, I know we’re not all comedians over here. I’m not funny. I’ll be the first to say it. But…really? “Blood and Scream!” was the best they could come up with? Apart from being terribly inaccurate and gory, it focuses solely on abortion – which is not the only service Planned Parenthood offers! In fact, they provide birth control that would prevent that someone from needing an abortion in the first place! Also, it’s just a terrible joke.
Second, this is not the first time Whats the Scoop? has fundraised for Planned Parenthood. Eater Portland contacted the owner, Jodie Ostrovsky, who is still confused why their store began receiving so much backlash: “we’re still wrapping our minds around the reactions… It was the second fundraiser we have done with Planned Parenthood, the first one went off without any reactions or comments.”
But What’s the Scoop? proudly stands by their decision to support Planned Parenthood in their fundraiser, and rightly so: “Planned Parenthood is an amazing organization that does so much to help women have access to affordable healthcare…The fact that some people only focus on what is such an infinitesimal part of the service they provide is confusing to me.”
The Portland community has firmly sided with their local scoop shop, nationwide haters be damned. These people like their ice cream, and they like that it gives back to their community as well. Now, can we all stop freaking out and grab a cone?
All images via What’s the Scoop?’s Facebook page.
