Miami Janitor Quietly Feeds Thousands, And Love's The Reason

March 10, 2021

A part-time janitor in Miami has cooked 1,000 meals a week for the hungry since the start of the pandemic.

Meet Doramise Moreau.

Doramise Moreau / Credit: AP

Moreau, a 60-year-old widow, works part-time as a janitor at a technical school, walking or taking the bus. But the work of her heart is feeding the hungry.

Every Thursday and Friday, Moreau borrows her church's truck to buy groceries. Notre Dame d'Haiti Catholic Church pays for the food, relying on donations. Moreau then prepares the meals singlehandedly, while church volunteers serve or deliver them to people in need.

"Americans, Spanish, Haitian, they come here," she said. "Even when I'm closing, they say, 'Please, can I have some,' and I give it to them, because if they go home and have nothing it hurts my feelings."

Despite her limited salary, she also feeds people back home in her little village north of Port-au-Prince in Haiti. She sends food pallets monthly to her sisters and brother, nieces, nephews and neighbors.

"She takes care of everybody from A to Z," said Reginald Jean-Mary, pastor at the church. "She's a true servant. She goes beyond the scope of work to be a presence of hope and compassion for others."

And until recently, she's done it all without a car. Last week, Moreau was surprised with a new Toyota Corolla by community leaders.

With her janitorial job and all her work at the church, people often ask Moreau if she's exhausted. But she says she is fueled by her faith.

"I can keep all the money for myself and never give anyone a penny," she said. "But if you give from your heart and never think about yourself, God will provide for you every day. The refrigerator will never be without food."