Continuing a Decades-Long Tradition of Giving Back
The Chinese American Association of Minnesota (CAAM) proudly upheld its tradition of over thirty years by hosting the “Pre-Thanksgiving Free Lunch” for the local homeless population. On Sunday, November 23, CAAM volunteers served a warm and delicious Chinese meal at the Dorothy Day Place, a Catholic Charities facility in St. Paul, the state’s capital. Nearly 300 individuals enjoyed the festive lunch.
The successful coordination of this event was led by CAAM Chairman Mr. Ping Wang. Key leaders and board members participating included Vice Chairman Guoging Li, Treasurer Lin Shu, Secretary General Qiang Fang, board members Gang Ji and Shi Peng, along with Ms. Yilian Hu (wife of former CAAM president Albert Chang) and her daughter Hehe Zhang. They were joined by nine dedicated volunteers: Xia Liu, Zhihong Yang, Wenbo Zhang, Ying Zhang, Chunfeng Liu, Xiaoyu Liu, Hanhua Fang, Hanhua Ji, and Boya Peng.
Collaborative Cooking: Fresh Chinese Cuisine Made On-Site
As their previous provider, Rose Garden Asian Bistro, had ceased operations in Minnesota, CAAM collaborated with Bo Bear, a Chinese food service provider in Lake Elmo. Bo Bear not only supplied the ingredients but also provided guidance for the on-site cooking.
The day was bright and relatively warm for late fall in St. Paul. Ms. Yilian Hu, who owns Bo Bear, arrived at the Dorothy Day Place’s multi-functional kitchen before 8:00 AM with all the ingredients (she had even scouted the kitchen a week prior to finalize the cooking plan). By 9:00 AM, CAAM board members and volunteers began arriving, working under the direction of Ms. Hu and the kitchen supervisor, Mr. Vanny Ouch.
The team efficiently washed, chopped, and mixed. In less than an hour and a half, they had prepared enough food to feed 330 people:
• Freshly prepared Sweet and Sour Chicken.
• Seven large trays of freshly cooked Egg Fried Rice.
• 350 newly fried Spring Rolls.
• A large bowl of fresh Vegetable Salad with lettuce and shredded onions.
• Hundreds of servings of Desserts and canned Peaches.
In addition, Mr. Guoging Li and his wife, Ms. Xia Liu, personally drove to SUMO Grill & Buffet in Minneapolis to pick up seven large trays of Lo Mein, which arrived around 11:20 AM. All hot items were transferred to warmers and holding cabinets. Volunteers also pre-packed meals for a few residents staying in the dormitories due to mobility issues. Finally, following the kitchen supervisor’s instructions, volunteers meticulously selected large quantities of uncracked eggs for the center’s dinner service.
Serving with Love: A Warm and Well-Received Meal
At 11:45 AM, the doors to the bright and spacious dining hall opened. The guests lined up and were guided by the center’s staff to receive their food in an orderly manner.
The generous meal was a delicious blend of Chinese and Western favorites:
• Main Dishes: Vegetable spring rolls, egg fried rice, lo mein, and sweet and sour chicken.
• Sides & Desserts: Salad, fruit, and cookies.
Each guest received a large plate of food, accompanied by unlimited milk and orange juice provided by the center.
Many guests expressed their deep appreciation to the volunteers, saying things like, “I like Chinese food. Thank you very much!” and “The food was delicious!” Some even asked, “Where is this Chinese Restaurant?” Their smiles and expressions of satisfaction energized all the volunteers.
Upholding the Mission: A Dedication to Community Service
The center’s food service director shared that they prepare three nutritionally balanced free meals daily to help the homeless get through the cold winter. People simply need to register their lunch and dinner needs during breakfast—no advance booking or documentation is required. This dynamic demand, influenced by weather and the time of the month (more guests at the end of the month), presents a constant challenge. Fortunately, the center has ample ingredients stored in its cold room (mostly donated by individuals or food companies) and a steady stream of volunteers to assist with preparation.
The Chinese lunch provided by CAAM offered a wonderful alternative for the homeless community in St. Paul. The center director extended profound gratitude for CAAM’s decades of continuous service and kindness to the local community.
Chairman Ping Wang concluded, stating that CAAM aims to promote Chinese culture and arts exchange, education, and service activities for the Chinese-American community and friends interested in Chinese culture, while fostering fellowship and mutual aid among various community groups. This annual Pre-Thanksgiving lunch exemplifies CAAM’s mission to dedicate the Chinese-American community’s care and goodwill to the local community.