Mama Cheng’s Kitchen: A Heartfelt Mission to Feed and Uplift Unsheltered Communities

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Li-Mei Cheng. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light. 

On her 74th birthday, Li-Mei Cheng, Daily Point of Light honoree #7900, sat down to tell us about her journey of providing food – week in and week out – to unhoused individuals in her area. Affectionately known as “Mama Cheng” in the communities she purchases, prepares, cooks and distributes food to, Li-Mei has become an essential force in the fight to nourish and support the unsheltered population in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.  

“My daughter, Christina, had been doing this for years,” Li-Mei said. “Then one of my grandsons turned 10, and when I asked what he wanted for his birthday, he said, ‘Can you make chicken fried rice? I want to bring it to the people downtown under the bridge.’ I started making chicken fried rice that day. Many people there had never tried it. They asked for seconds. And I haven’t stopped since!” 

A dedicated volunteer with Under My Umbrella’s Neighbor Outreach Program, Li-Mei has served tirelessly for the past two years, providing meals to 100 unsheltered individuals every week. But Mama Cheng’s volunteer work goes far beyond simply handing out food. Each week, she spends nearly 20 hours shopping, preparing, packaging and serving the nutritionally dense, protein-rich meals to those in her community who most benefit from them.  

Whether in extreme heat, snow or rain, she consistently shows up, ensuring that each person she serves receives not just sustenance but also a sense of care and dignity. Her meals, lovingly prepared, thoughtfully balanced and always including a pop of color, have touched thousands of lives. The lines that form when she serves are legendary, with people often calling out, “Mama’s here!” — a testament to the trust and love she has built with the community. 

After volunteering with UMU for some time, Li-Mei went on to get her Food Handler Certification, an endeavor that took her 18 hours to get through due to English being her second language. But she persevered because consistently feeding the community had become such a primary passion for her. 

“I remember one time I drove with Christina and we got to a one-way street, and she saw someone in a hard-to-reach corner who looked like they could use some food,” Li-Mei recalled. “We drove in circles and circles to figure out how to get to the corner, and when we finally reached it, she brought food with both hands to this man. I saw the smile on his face, and the smile on Christina’s face, and I was almost in tears. If you bring people food, you can bring them hope. It’s bringing a warm meal to a warm heart. It’s about bringing them hope, bringing them dignity.”

An immigrant from Taiwan, Li-Mei brings her experience as a successful restaurateur in Richardson, Texas, to her volunteer efforts. It was while attempting to run her restaurant with her husband that Li-Mei herself got a helping hand – one that has stuck with her for life. 

“In 1982, when we started our restaurant, we had no experience,” said Li-Mei. “And we had to pay the rent before the 3rd of the month. My husband and I looked at each other, knowing we didn’t have the money. Then, someone called me and told me we had until the 15th to pay. Later, I found out our landlord had orchestrated this. She said, ‘I know you both work very hard. I’d like to help you.’ And she helped us for three or four months while we got the business off the ground. She gave us a hand, and now I want to give a hand to other people. I am always grateful for that experience. If not for her, I probably wouldn’t have a house or a comfortable life. Now, I can pay it forward.” 

Alongside her husband Shao, two grown children and two grandchildren, Li-Mei also cares for a rescue dog named Bao-tze, continuing to nurture both her family and her extended community. One of the most treasured aspects of her volunteer work is the relationship she gets to build with her daughter. 

“I really appreciate the time I spend with my daughter every Tuesday,” Li-Mei shared. “We spend six to eight hours in the car. The gap between us almost disappears, and she can tell me anything. That is priceless.” 

As Li-Mei Cheng continues her incredible work, she sets an example of what it means to serve with heart, dedication and love. Adamant that volunteering with unhoused populations includes an open-hearted, non-judgmental attitude, her selfless contributions to the DFW community remind us all that true change comes from the kindness and generosity of individuals willing to show up and make a difference. No matter how people got into their current situations, Li-Mei is only interested in providing a warm smile and a hot meal to help them through.

To anyone hesitant about volunteering with communities they may not be familiar with, Li-Mei says, “Come stand by me. I’m 74. I think if you show your love, even if you have no experience, there’s no reason to be afraid. Stand by someone who has been doing it for a while. If you have a heart for something, you can overcome any obstacle.” 

And how did Li-Mei celebrate her birthday after her Daily Point of Light interview? As seems to be tradition in her family, she spent the day preparing meals for her weekly outreach. Li-Mei’s culinary skills are second to none, but it is her compassion and heart that truly make an impact. For the unsheltered individuals she serves, “Mama Cheng” is much more than a volunteer — she is a comforting and consistent presence, someone who brings warm and affirming recognition of humanity to those often overlooked by society. 

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Li-Mei? Find local volunteer opportunities.