Metro

Homeless boo Chinese mogul after trying to crash charity lunch

Scores of homeless New Yorkers booed and jeered Chinese philanthropist Chen Guangbiao after they tried to crash his high-priced lunch for the poor on Wednesday.

As four charter busloads of invited, down-and-out New Yorkers rolled toward The Loeb Boathouse in Central Park, about 100 other homeless people converged on the restaurant, demanding to get inside.

Those homeless people believed anyone could show up for Chen’s bash and were infuriated when told that wasn’t the case.

So when Chen strolled into the Boathouse, the hungry horde booed and cursed him. They yelled “Liar,” “Con man” and dropped the F-bomb.

Chen is treating 200 people, from the New York City Rescue Mission, to lunch at the famed Central Park restaurant.

He took out a full-page ad in last week’s New York Times touting a free lunch and $300 cash for 1,000 down-on-their-luck New Yorkers.

But it turned out he was only taking 250 people — picked by the rescue mission — in the first of four separate feeds, organizers said.

Chen also backed down on his $300 promise at the urging of rescue mission officials, who didn’t want their clients — many fighting drug and booze addictions — to have so much cash. He’ll instead give a donation to the rescue mission.

And the originally scheduled luncheon for 250 had to be cut to 200 because of the intense media attention brought by Chen’s over-the-top philanthropy.

The rescue mission diners headed for the luncheon said they were grateful for the high-cuisine handout.

“The food is so horrible at the city-run shelter,” said Lary Beker, 51. “The city gives you canned food. I still don’t believe this lunch [with Chen] is really true.”

Seared tuna was served as an appetizer at the charity lunch.James Messerschmidt

And even if Chen doesn’t dole out cash, Beker said he’s happy for anything he gets.

“I would tell [Chen] this is a really nice surprise and I’m very grateful,” Beker said.

“I need help with a Metrocard and I need a phone to get work. But I’m not making any demands. If they’re giving $300, that’s fine, I will go and buy a Metrocard. I can’t believe it. We’re going to eat in a nice restaurant and there’s no check coming.”

Additional reporting by David K. Li and James Messerschmidt