Written by Eileen Chen, Renee Liu
Translated by Janet Li, Anna Sipek, Andrew Larracuente
Edited by Ariel Chan
The unsheltered population in the Bay Area of Northern California, where big business resides, has increased due to high living costs. Over the past year, Tzu Chi volunteers from Tzu Chi Northwest have steadfastly distributed warm breakfast to the unhoused every Sunday morning in Fremont, CA.
Rain or shine, hot or cold, for 52 Sundays unimpeded, the Tzu Chi volunteers have diligently kept bellies full and bodies warm. Accompanying the provided food includes essential living supplies like backpacks and sleeping bags.
By 2023’s conclusion, Mayor Lily Mei – the first female Chinese-American mayor of Fremont – took time to visit the breakfast distribution site, interact with Tzu Chi volunteers, and express appreciation for their compassionate contribution to the community. These endeavors marked a heartwarming end to the year for Tzu Chi volunteers in Northern California.
Warm Breakfast for the unhoused
Most every Sunday looks the same: Tzu Chi volunteers wake up early, braving the elements, to make their way to the Family Resource Center in Fremont. There they work together to prepare warm breakfast items like buns, potatoes, fried noodles, and coffee.
Unhoused individuals, carrying bags of belongings, patiently line up to receive breakfast. Meanwhile, volunteers warmly greet these familiar faces, offering assistance in whatever ways they can.
“There are many unhoused individuals, especially on cold mornings, who really need some food.” expressed Jason Lin, head of breakfast distribution. “Seeing some of them come every week, joyfully enjoying their meals and also receiving necessary living supplies- I feel that what we are doing can truly help them a lot.”
Scott, who has been coming for meals since 2016, shared his gratitude for this community service: “I really like coming here; you guys are really good! I need a sleeping bag and a backpack because I often sleep in a tent, sometimes outdoors. What you provide is really good, thank you.”
The food here is great, really delicious, the best breakfast, nothing better than this.
Mayor Mei Joins for the Last Distribution of the Year
On the last Sunday morning of 2023, Tzu Chi volunteers, as usual, distributed breakfast to the unhoused in the parking lot of the Family Resource Center in Fremont.
Unexpectedly, a special guest attended the event: Mayor Lily Mei, the first Chinese-American female mayor of Fremont, accompanied by Benjamin Yee, a member of the Fremont City Planning Commission.
During the two-hour visit, Mayor Lily Mei chatted with Tzu Chi volunteers, expressing her gratitude for Tzu Chi volunteers’ long-term care for the unhoused. She emphasized that the city government would make more efforts to address the issues faced by the unhoused.
Mayor Lily Mei advocates for establishing unhoused shelters and providing counseling and job training services for eligible unhoused individuals: “This requires our passion and love, as well as creating solutions to solve problems and help those in need, so mutual support is crucial.”
Seeing Tzu Chi volunteers bringing their children to participate in the breakfast distribution, she encouraged the young volunteers to read more, make good use of libraries, and actively participate in community activities: “Let us see the power of young people shining in the community! Just like a book, when you turn one page, you will see the next story.”
While those with stable lives may be picky about their daily meals, what the unhoused urgently need is often just a hot drink or a piece of bread. Please support the charitable actions of Tzu Chi USA volunteers caring for the community. Let us use love to help more people, giving them the strength to start anew.
