MAYAGUEZ, PUERTO RICO – Catai Yiriirryo has worked at Ricomini Bakery in Mayaguez for a year. She and her co-workers, who she says are more like family, worked until they could no longer before Hurricane Maria hit.
"The day of the hurricane, we had two or three days off and then we opened again for the people," Yirirryo said.
A generator allowed the bakery to reopen, which is when it became a place to not only get a warm meal but a refuge for people who lost everything.
One customer who lost not only his home, but members of his family, visits the bakery every day.
"He came here. We are his second family 'cause we treat him like you're my people. You're my sister. You're my everything," Yirirryo said.
Miguel Lopez has owned the business for decades. He employs 350 people and said it was really important to him to bring those people back to their homes.
Before the year ends, he says he plans to open one just like this in Orlando with the same spirit that never left -- even after Maria did.
"I stay positive. I say, 'I can. Yo puedo y yo puedo,'" Yirirro said.