Local hero serves Fourth of July meals to migrants amid Brooklyn shelter controversy
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) -- In a heartwarming display of community spirit this Fourth of July, Brooklyn resident Dorian Muller and his wife bridged the community divide with acts of kindness. The couple served hot meals to migrants in the Clinton Hill neighborhood, despite recent tensions surrounding the migrant shelter on Hall Street.
Muller, a longtime community advocate and director at Brooklyn Community Housing and Services, explained his motivation.
"I remember at a time when I was hungry when I was younger. So at the end of the day, this is what I do," Muller said.
Setting up a table across from the shelter, the Mullers offered a variety of foods including french fries, sausages and chicken tenders. Muller highlighted their efforts to accommodate diverse dietary needs, saying, "We made sure we separated the pork from the chicken. So, you know, we got different various backgrounds. You got people from Senegal, which is Muslim. Then you got Spanish people from Ecuador, different Spanish countries."
Despite recent rallies where some Brooklynites expressed concerns about the shelter's impact on the neighborhood, Muller sees this as an opportunity to provide support. "My whole thing is I wanted them to join July 4, like everybody else," Muller said.
The couple managed to feed about 100 people, though Muller expressed regret at not being able to serve everyone, given the estimated 3,000 migrants in the area. Beyond food, he also provides clothes, cleaning supplies and toiletries when possible.
Known locally as "the man with the van," Muller has been featured on PIX11 for his community service work, including operating a food pantry from a U-Haul truck. He now continues his mission with a newly purchased Dodge minivan, determined to keep serving those in need.
With tensions high surrounding the migrant shelter in Clinton Hill, Muller urges others to remember the power of community and compassion, especially on a day dedicated to national independence. His parting words encapsulate his mission: "To see people happy makes me happy."