Written by Er Guan
Translated by H.B. Qin
Edited by Ida Eva Zielinska
August 23, 2025, was a hot summer day in Dallas, Texas. The sun’s radiant heat found its echo in Tzu Chi USA Central Region’s compassion as the Vegetarian Charity Bazaar began in high spirits. More than a vegetarian feast, the event gathered great love and bolstered charitable efforts. Throughout the summer of 2025, climate-related disasters impacted communities across many regions. To help those affected, the Central Region organized the bazaar to raise relief funds while also promoting vegetarianism through delicious food.
At the event, Tzu Chi USA Central Region Executive Director Yuanliang Ling moved through the crowd, warmly greeting new and returning supporters and expressing gratitude for their attendance. Over the course of the bazaar, the food and snacks sold out as donations steadily accumulated. Every smile – and every penny given – became part of a powerful force for good.
A Taste of Home and a Touch of Warmth
The Vegetarian Charity Bazaar hosted by Tzu Chi USA’s Central Region Office in Dallas has become a much-anticipated gathering for the local Chinese community and area residents. As soon as the event began, the office’s kitchen buzzed with activity; volunteers steamed rice cakes, fried golden-crispy radish cakes, and ladled hot noodle soup. Soon, enticing aromas filled the air, drawing attendees into orderly queues to savor the delicacies.
Volunteer Yuanyang Kuo’s freshly made shredded radish cakes were among the day’s most popular items. “For the shredded radish cakes, the filling includes radish, vegetarian meat, shiitake mushrooms, and celery. This is how we’ve made them for a long time,” Kuo said while being interviewed by Da Ai TV, as she vigorously stirred a large bowl of filling. “They’re delicious! Everyone loves them and that brings us great joy.”
“This is the taste I loved most when I was a child!” Many Taiwanese immigrants grew nostalgic as they held bowls brimming with Taiwanese street food. Bazaar stalls offered more than 30 varieties of authentic Taiwanese home-style dishes – from savory snacks to traditional desserts. These flavors not only eased homesickness but also brought back a long-lost sense of home in a foreign land.
Supporting Disaster Relief Efforts
Beyond delighting taste buds, the Vegetarian Charity Bazaar carried a heartfelt mission. During the 2025 Spring Festival, Tzu Chi USA’s Central Region Office raised funds specifically for Los Angeles wildfire survivors, collecting nearly $20,000 in a single day. Each dish was lovingly prepared by volunteers, and every delicious bite transformed into hope for those affected by the disaster.
Each successful fundraising sale reflects volunteers’ full commitment. Preparations for this summer event began two weeks in advance, with the Central Region volunteers in Dallas sourcing ingredients, chopping, washing, and more. From venue setup and stall layout to promotion and coordination, the entire effort came together through collaborative teamwork.
On the day of the bazaar, everyone was fully engaged. To serve freshly made food that couldn’t be prepared in advance, volunteers began bustling in the kitchen before dawn: as early as 4 AM! Steam rose from pots and pans as the sun came up. Dozens of volunteers worked in shifts to prepare more than 30 varieties of authentic Taiwanese street food – colorful, aromatic, and delicious – carrying the flavors of home and prepared with care.
Taiwanese Flavors Delight
Before the start of the event, the volunteers gathered together to offer sincere prayers for world peace and safety for all. The Charity Bazaar then opened at 10 AM to a surge of attendees. Tzu Chi USA Central Region’s vegetarian delicacies won widespread acclaim. Participants enjoyed the dual benefit of doing good while savoring exquisite food. Many came because of the bazaar’s strong reputation and their past experiences. While eating on site, attendees also bought dishes to take home and share with family and friends.
Thanks to everyone’s concerted efforts, the charity bazaar was a great success. Popular street food items sold out as soon as they were ready. “I never imagined I could taste such authentic Taiwanese flavors right here in Texas!” exclaimed one delighted Texan. Others gave a thumbs-up as they ate, praising the variety and deliciousness of the vegetarian dishes.
Dubbed the “pastry guru,” Volunteer Fanli Kung specially purchased a sesame-paste machine to make homemade black sesame paste and bread – nutritious and wholesome. “The black sesame paste came about by chance. I happened to buy a machine in Taiwan, and after I returned, my wife made a vow to donate everything we make to Tzu Chi,” said Kung. “So we roast the sesame seeds ourselves and grind them with the machine. Now it has become our best-selling health food.” Kung also offers a variety of cakes, often made to order or based on available ingredients. Each dessert is exceptionally delicious and wins praise from everyone who tries it.
Sharing Tastes and Forging Bonds
The Vegetarian Charity Bazaar was more than a gourmet feast: It was a relay of compassion. By participating and purchasing tasty fare, Tzu Chi volunteers and Dallas residents were offering their heartfelt blessings and showing their care for disaster survivors in their time of need. The event concluded successfully by noon.
May Chang, Director of the Career Center at National Chengchi University, Taiwan, happened to be in Dallas and stopped by the charity bazaar after hearing about it. “It is an honor and a great pleasure to take part in this Tzu Chi charity fundraising event,” she remarked joyfully. “I can feel how deeply the Taiwanese community in Dallas cares… The event is a tremendous success, and I’m deeply moved. I truly feel Tzu Chi has done so much for all beings.”
I think today is about forging a bond through the tasteful food. And I feel happy because I can help different people in this way.
Haohsuan Li, a Chinese American in Dallas, was attending Tzu Chi’s Vegetarian Charity Bazaar for the first time. He was delighted to learn about the organization. “My colleague told me about this event and said there would be many Taiwanese street foods to try, so I was drawn here by the food,” he said. “The atmosphere here is wonderful. I bought this for today, and these for tomorrow. I think this is a great opportunity because it offers a different way to help local residents and those affected by disasters.”
A Gourmet Feast for the Community
Whether it’s the year-end charity sale, the bustling Spring Festival fair, or the annual Zongzi Charity Sale, Tzu Chi USA Central Region brings the community’s compassion together over tables of gourmet vegetarian fare. Proceeds from these events not only support disaster relief efforts within the United States, but also reach distant places like Africa or other severely affected areas, becoming a cross-border force for timely assistance.
For many residents, Tzu Chi USA Central Region’s vegetarian fundraiser has long transcended a simple sale. It represents cultural heritage, comfort for homesickness, and a relay of care. Some families come to sample new tastes. Others line up early to secure limited pastries. Some even travel from other states for the event. The intermingling of laughter, inviting aromas, and shared warmth remind us that delicious food can lift spirits and help those in need.
We invite you to experience the joy of service by registering to volunteer with Tzu Chi USA! Through our charity initiatives, medical care, disaster relief, and other missions, your time and skills can help people in need.
