Loyal Customer Surprises Homeless Dunkin' Donuts Employee With A Home - Staff Picks

Can you imagine getting up for work every morning and greeting customers with a smile while you’re wondering deep down where you and your children are going to sleep after work? That was Ebony Johnson’s situation until one person made a difference.

This story is astounding and reminds us all it’s better to give than receive. A loyal customer surprises a homeless Dunkin’ Donuts employee with a home! 

Ebony Johnson is a good mother to three children. She had been working faithfully at Dunkin’ Donuts for the last three years to make ends meet and provide her children with everything they needed. But recently that wasn’t enough. Ebony wasn’t able to pay her bills and was getting evicted from her home. Because of the eviction notice, Ebony stopped coming to work because she was trying to find a place to live and move out of her rental. But, a loyal customer and friend happened to notice Ebony hadn’t been at work for nearly three weeks. That customer was Suzanne Burke, who has worked with social services in her career. 

Suzanne asked Ebony what was going on and Ebony was honest about her situation. Suzanne tried to put herself in her friend’s shoes and wondered how could anyone put a smile on their face and greet customers happily without knowing where you’re going to sleep that night–much less your children? 

So Suzanne asked Ebony if she could try to help. When she agreed, Suzanne got to work brainstorming ideas and reached out to several local organizations. And Suzanne became the answer to Ebony's prayers. You see, Ebony had been praying for God to get her ‘home’ by Christmas and God answered those prayers. 

"The Lord really looked out for me because I kept praying and saying 'can I be at home before Christmas?'," Ebony said. 

But God did more than answer her simple request. Suzanne not only found Ebony a home, but she also teamed up with a local designer and furniture store to ‘gift’ a fully furnished home! Can you imagine going from homeless to moving into a fully furnished home that has been decorated by a designer? Talk about color palettes, brand new beds, blankets, and more!

"Oh my God, it was so amazing, I just busted out crying, I never had a fully furnished house. I never had help like this. I had been asking God to put us in a home before Christmas, and He really did. I'm just so thankful,” Ebony said as she continued to cry and thank God while hugging her friend. 

As Ebony and her children toured the new home, Suzanne’s heart was full and overflowing with joy. She commented, “It’s the perfect time of year to know you’re spreading joy.” 

We couldn’t agree more. May this story warm your heart and inspire you to spread God’s joy to someone in need and perhaps share this video with someone who needs a little more joy! 

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13