When 19-year-old Belle* handed out a box of poached chicken with rice, she was struck by the elderly recipient’s joy.
“She even did a little jump, saying it was her favourite food,” said the teen, who is in her second year 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.”
Through the encounter, Belle realised even a modest gesture could bring warmth to someone’s day.
“I’d never experienced anything like that,” the teen shared. “It showed me that, sometimes, the smallest actions can mean the most.”
In January 2025, Belle launched her “free meals” initiative, distributing about 30 lunchboxes at a time to elderly people in need across Hong Kong. She began in Sham Shui Po, one of the city’s poorest districts, and has since expanded her efforts to To Kwa Wan, Sung Wong Toi, Kowloon City, San Po Kong, Fortress Hill and Tsuen Wan.
After posting videos of her meal distributions online, her Instagram account has amassed over 100,000 followers.
“Growing up, I’ve always known how fortunate my life has been. I saw how many others weren’t as lucky – not because of their own fault, just random luck of where we’re born,” she said.
Beyond the meal boxes, Belle has also helped people crowdfund for their needs.
In her most-viewed video, she raises funds for an 85-year-old woman selling cardboard to support her sick son, even though her foot is in pain. The HK$50,000 collected from concerned netizens went towards the woman’s medical and living expenses.
In another video, Belle bought all the remaining produce from a local farmer in his 90s, drawing attention to the struggles of ageing small-scale vendors.
Many netizens have praised her efforts, with one saying that “supporting local businesses and helping others is what we need in the world right now”.
Some have questioned Belle’s motives for filming and sharing her charity work online. But Belle said posting online was essential to sustaining support for the people she meets – and she hoped to inspire others to join her efforts.
“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.”
Put yourself out there
In Hong Kong, elderly people pushing trolleys filled with flattened cardboard and discarded scraps are a familiar sight, as many struggle to find ways to sustain themselves. According to the Hong Kong Poverty Report for 2024 by Oxfam Hong Kong, more than 580,000 individuals aged 65 or above live in poverty in the city.
Belle’s meals are able to reach some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.
“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.”
Belle aims to bring them food at least once a week. While she usually pays for the meals herself, some restaurants have also reached out to sponsor meals.
The teen said she was inspired by Korean YouTuber Aiden Kim, who supports elderly street vendors by purchasing their produce.
“He gave me advice on how to run this kind of initiative. He was really kind and genuine,” she said.
She added that the ripple effect had already begun.
“Two student-run accounts reached out to tell me they started similar projects because of my videos,” she said.
Growing up in an international school where most pupils spoke English, Belle said language barriers could make it harder for others from her background to connect with Hong Kong’s wider community. But she speaks Cantonese at home, which has been key to her outreach.
“My parents always taught me to stay humble and to help others. They had a big influence on my beliefs and values,” she said.
She encouraged other students from different backgrounds to take the first step in helping people in need, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.
“If you truly want to engage with the community, and are willing to try ... it’s possible. You just have to put yourself out there and be open. The cultural gap is real, but not impossible to bridge,” she said.
‘I did what I could’
At the start of university, Belle felt adrift 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 and meaning.
“I’m proud ... that my small actions are part of a global community helping others,” she said. “I want to keep doing this, and hopefully, I can build a career that lets me continue this work while supporting myself and my family.”
Even in her studies, Belle is considering how to make a positive impact as she focuses on sustainable fashion.
“The fashion industry has many malpractices – unsafe labour conditions, child labour [and] environmental harm from fast fashion,” she said.
Whatever path she pursues, Belle wants to use her skills to set up an NGO helping those in need.
“In society, many chase money or status. But those things aren’t real. If everything collapsed tomorrow, those things wouldn’t matter any more,” she said.
“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 ... I want to be able to say, ‘Yes, I helped people. I did what I could.’”
* Full name withheld at interviewee’s request.
