Zhejiang restaurateur runs four-year free canteen beside hospital with no cashier, says she’ll keep going ‘as long as I can work’

A canteen built from grief and need

A small vegetarian canteen called Yuhua Zhai (雨花斋) has quietly served hot, free meals to patients’ relatives, elderly residents and sanitation workers beside a hospital in Haiyan, Zhejiang for four years. The proprietor, Gu Weixing (顾卫星), opened the shop in October 2021 after years of planning that hardened into action following her husband’s death; she has said the aim is simple: “I just want everyone to have a hot meal; I’ll keep it open as long as I can work.” There is no cashier and no payment QR code — patrons are fed without asking for money.

Operations and mounting losses

Gu reportedly invested more than 100,000 yuan to renovate the premises and runs daily meals sized for about 40 people, cutting to 20 on major holidays but refusing to close even at Lunar New Year when most businesses shut. It has been reported that she covers rising food, power and waste costs out of pocket, sometimes losing nearly 10,000 yuan in a single month; over four years those subsidies have reportedly amounted to several hundred thousand yuan. Volunteers help with cooking, washing and deliveries; an anonymous donor reportedly pays the annual rent and a neighbouring supermarket owner regularly supplies vegetables for free.

Local solidarity, and a question of sustainability

The canteen also delivers meals to isolated seniors and runs small festival drives — Laba congee at dawn, Qingming cakes for the elderly — efforts that have earned quiet gratitude from recipients. This story sits at the intersection of grassroots mutual aid and pressures facing small social enterprises in China’s uneven social-safety landscape: compassion keeps the doors open, but can goodwill alone sustain an activity that requires steady cash flow? Gu says she won’t stop while she can work. Who will step in if she can’t?