A free three-course lunch hosted by Chinese millionaire Chen Guangbiao for 250 homeless New York citizens has ignited the guests' anger when they were not handed 300 cash donations.

Last week, the recycling tycoon bought ads in American newspapers to announce the fancy meal he was throwing at the Boathouse in Central Park and the cash handout for homeless New Yorkers. Guests were brought in via bus and fed a first-rate meal, but they got angry when they learned they weren't getting any cash, according to South China Morning Post.

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In the middle of dessert time, guest Ernest St. Pierre began shouting at Chen not to lie to the people because they came for the $300. The tycoon responded through a translator that he was on his way to the New York City Rescue Mission and that they were invited to join him there.

Some of the guests, however, were satisfied with the event. They said they enjoyed the meal and the experience, admiring Chen for his effort to help them.

But the guests began complaining again when they were led outside back to the bus. Quin Shabazz said he felt exploited and that the whole event was just "a big publicity stunt."

On Tuesday, New York City Rescue Mission director of public relations Michelle Tolson announced that the lunch guests would not receive any cash. It had taken them more than a month to convince Chen to just donate $90,000 to their group.

Tolson said the amount Chen donated would go straight to their $5 million annual budget for feeding and housing homeless persons. The mission provides them with a hot meal, a safe bed, a clean shower, clothes, and assistance for their problems.

Chen, who has an estimated worth of $825 million, is known for his attention-grabbing stunts. He said he wanted to give back after Americans had helped his country during disasters, hoping to "lead the way" to encourage others to do the same.

According to the Coalition for the Homeless, the shelters in New York accommodate around 60,000 homeless people. The group also noted that the number of homeless New Yorkers has never been this high since the Great Depression occurred in the 1930s.

TagsChen Guangbiao, Chinese tycoon, New York homeless