Sichuan Duo Sells $0.40 Wontons to Support Hospital Patients

Chen Lin, born in 1993, and Luo Mengxia, born in 2000, have established a small food stall outside the Lingang Campus of Yibin Second People's Hospital in Sichuan. Their stall, named "Chan Xiaoji Love Cart," offers patients and their families a significantly subsidized meal: a bowl of wontons, an egg, and a carton of milk for just 3 yuan (approximately $0.40).

The two women started the stall in late July with the aim of providing warm and nutritious meals. While the 3 yuan price point does not cover their costs, they believe the nominal fee helps maintain customers' dignity and eases their psychological burden. They offset some expenses by selling wontons at regular prices.

Each day before their shift, Chen and Luo purchase ingredients and prepare the wontons by hand. The soup base changes daily, offering variations such as lotus root with pork ribs or carrot with corn, ensuring nutritional variety. A line often forms at the stall by noon, and the women engage with customers, offering comfort and well wishes for recovery.

In their first month of operation, they have encountered numerous hardships. One notable instance involved a middle-aged man caring for three elderly relatives with brain tumors. The women provided him with a free meal and an additional 200 yuan donation. Their ultimate hope is that their regular customers will recover and no longer need their services, signifying a successful recovery.