When 19-year-old Belle* gave a woman a box of chicken with rice, she realised that a small act could bring warmth to someone’s day.
“She was so happy – she even did a little jump, saying it was her favourite food,” said the teen, who is studying fashion at Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
“The elderly [woman] said she usually only buys one meal a day ... So getting a free one meant a lot to her. She was genuinely grateful.”
This moment, which happened in October 2025, has stuck with Belle ever since.
“I’d never experienced anything like that. It showed me that sometimes the smallest actions can mean the most,” the teen said.
A real impact
Belle first started giving meals to the elderly in January 2025. Usually, she pays for the meals, but some restaurants have also sponsored the food. At least once a week, she distributes about 30 boxes of food to people in need.
In Hong Kong, it is common to see elderly people pushing trolleys filled with cardboard. Many of them do not have enough money to survive, and this is a way for them to make some income.
“I just want them to know that people do care – that they’re seen and appreciated,” she said.
“When I chat with them, they often say, ‘Come visit more, even just to talk’. It’s such a small thing, but it makes them so happy.”
She started posting videos of her initiative on Instagram, and she now has more than 100,000 followers.
Besides giving away food, Belle has also helped people crowdfund for their needs.
In her most-viewed video, she raises money for an elderly woman. The 85-year-old was selling cardboard to support her sick son, even though her foot was in pain.
Belle believes that sharing her work online helps to sustain the initiative.
“Without posting these interactions, I wouldn’t be able to crowdfund and continue,” she said.
“I was inspired by other creators, and I hope my platform can inspire others too – creating a chain reaction of warmth and kindness.”
Connecting with Hong Kong people
Belle grew up in an international school, where most people spoke English. She said that language barriers could make it harder for students from her background to connect with Hong Kong’s wider community.
She encouraged other students to take the first step in helping people in need, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.
“You just have to put yourself out there and be open,” she said.
Running the initiative has helped Belle find her meaning. At the start of university, she felt lost after many of her friends chose to study overseas.
“During my first year, I did not have many new friends and felt like I lacked purpose,” she said.
But over time, running this meal distribution has helped her regain confidence.
“I’m proud of myself – I want to keep doing this, and hopefully I can build a career that lets me continue this work,” she said.
Belle’s volunteer work has also influenced her career path. She is focused on studying sustainable fashion, and she is considering setting up an NGO in the future.
“I often think about what I can do in life that will have a real impact – something I can look back on when I’m 70 and feel proud of,” she said.
“I want to be able to say, ‘Yes, I helped people. I did what I could.’”
* Full name withheld at interviewee’s request.
