In 1906 , Lew Hing was able to make substantial assistance to Bay Area earthquake victims . He opened his cannery to the homeless and also provided tents elsewhere for temporary shelter . He hired cooks to provide meals . Following the earthquake , many San Franciscans relocated to Oakland , including several Chinese . As with several ethnic groups , Chinese were compelled to remain in ethnic clusters . Lew assisted these Chinese with finance and leadership by organizing neighborhoods , including the area that became Oakland 's Chinatown . As a consequence , he became involved with many Oakland Chinatown organizations , making contributions to their many causes and forming business alliances in relation to the Pacific Canning Company
Bay Area earthquake
1906 San Francisco earthquake
Lew Hing