3 Yuan Coffee Draws Dozens of Cups per Order in Nanjing

In a quiet community center in Tangshan, just outside Nanjing, a small coffee shop sees an unusual scene: customers routinely order 30, 50, even 666 cups of coffee in a single visit—not because they’re hosting a huge event, but because each cup represents a donation to people in need.

The answer is simple: every 3-yuan cup sold at the Tangshan Yile Home Service Center’s community coffee shop goes toward helping struggling families, elderly individuals, impoverished children, and people with disabilities in the area. Most customers aren’t there to drink the coffee—they’re there to donate.

What Is the ‘Love Coffee’ Shop?

Located on the first floor of the Tangshan Yile Home Service Center, the ‘love coffee’ shop is run by social workers from a local nonprofit. Staff manually grind and brew fresh coffee on-site. Every cup is priced at just 3 yuan, and no change is given. Customers can either enjoy a coffee on the spot or take a coffee voucher to redeem later.

The coffee shop is part of a larger initiative by the Red Leaf Social Work Service Centre. The actual cost of the coffee beans is covered by the nonprofit, meaning every yuan donated goes directly to charitable causes. The 3-yuan price acts as a standardized way for the public to contribute.

How the Coffee-Donation Model Works

Here’s how it functions: when a customer pays 3 yuan, they’re essentially donating that amount—but the system is designed to encourage larger contributions too. According to Zhang Wei, chairman of the Red Leaf Social Work Service Centre, the number of cups ordered reflects a donation tier. For example:

• 1 cup = a 3–5 yuan donation
• 10 cups = 30–32 yuan
• 33 cups = around 100 yuan
• 666 cups = a 2000 yuan donation

Most people ordering just one cup drink it on-site, enjoying the moment while supporting a cause. But those ordering tens or hundreds of cups typically skip the drink altogether, making a purely financial contribution—and often don’t even take the free vouchers.

Why People Love the Concept

The concept has caught on. On one February morning, a visitor paid 10 yuan for three cups, took the vouchers, and left without drinking. Another regular, surnamed Zhu, made a single order of 666 cups. Other names appearing on the ‘love wall’ include Yan Lei with 33 cups and Jiang Feng with 300 cups. Each sticker on the wall shows a donor’s name and contribution level, creating a visual community record of giving.

“Ordering coffee to show love makes the act more meaningful,” said Zhang Wei. “It blends the daily habit of drinking coffee with charity, and the public has really embraced it.”

Impact So Far

In its first year of operation, the coffee shop raised over 45,000 yuan. That money has gone into a designated charity account and is used to support local vulnerable groups. The initiative has turned a simple daily purchase into a vehicle for collective goodwill, with clear impact and transparency.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does each cup of coffee cost at the Tangshan love coffee shop?

Each cup is priced at 3 yuan. Customers can pay this amount to either drink a coffee on-site or receive a voucher for later use. No change is given for cash payments.

Do customers actually drink all the coffee they order?

No. Most people who order large quantities of coffee—such as 33, 100, or even 666 cups—don’t drink the coffee themselves. They make a donation through the coffee purchase and often don’t claim the free vouchers either.

What happens to the money collected from coffee sales?

All proceeds go into a designated charity account. The funds are used to assist disadvantaged groups in the Tangshan area, including low-income families, elderly people living alone, impoverished children, and individuals with disabilities.

How does the donation system based on coffee cup orders work?

The number of cups ordered corresponds to different donation amounts. For example, 1 cup implies a 3–5 yuan donation, 10 cups about 30–32 yuan, 33 cups around 100 yuan, and 666 cups equates to roughly 2000 yuan. The coffee itself is subsidized by the nonprofit.

Who runs the love coffee shop in Tangshan?

The coffee shop is operated by the Red Leaf Social Work Service Centre, a local nonprofit organization. Social workers serve the coffee, which is ground and brewed on-site. The coffee beans’ cost is covered by the nonprofit, ensuring all public donations go to charity.

How long has the Tangshan love coffee project been running?

The project has been operational for at least one year, during which time it raised over 45,000 yuan in total donations.

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