Is this virtue signalling or is it genuine consideration?

I didn't hear the programme so don't know all the details - it could just be that Willow is a vegan herself and wouldn't deliver food that she wouldn't eat.

On a philosophical/ethical level I expect rough sleepers would stick to their principles or beliefs as much as they could in the circumstances.

It’s piffling.It’s showing ‘right on’ ( vegan) values as expected (listening to actors/ show biz people is rarely illuminating).
If you are genuinely hungry then you will eat anything, vegan
Or otherwise, although I expect a bit of protein would do them good.

TBH I would have thought any food would be welcome surely?

I think you may be right lemon listening to showbiz people is rarely illuminating! I suppose the girl was sticking to her own beliefs by only taking vegan food to street people, but it was not clear whether she had discussed with any of them whether they shared her beliefs or whether they would be glad of anything filling and nutritious.

I would say that whatever her motives that at least she's moved to take some action. All credit to her.

But they wouldn't have to share her vegan beliefs Gill to appreciate the food, assuming it was nourishing and tasty - an omnivore could eat anything.

Sounds like blowing one's own trumpet. I thought good deeds should be done silently. To actors all publicity is good publicity isn't it? And surely vegan food is short of certain nutrients. Are supplements being handed out as well?

It's virtue signalling. It makes the giver feel really great when in actual fact they are not doing much to alleviate the issues of the homeless.
I would suggest that very rich Americans need to think that what is required is ( shock horror) a welfare state so that less people become homeless and that there is a safety net for those that do. Instead of providing a few meals, campaign for legislation to achieve that. I know our system in the UK isn't perfect but it's better than relying on charity. .

What is virtual signalling?

Conspicuous expression of moral values. Telling people about your good deed so that they all know., particularly when it makes little difference in the long run.

The Pinkett-Smiths irritate me for so many reasons and this another one I’ll add to the list. Did Willow ask if there was a demand for vegan food? Is she doing work on an ongoing basis with homeless charities? I doubt it (-although if I’m wrong I apologise) as I suspect this is nothing more that virtue signalling

It may be virtue-signalling but surely any food to however small a number of people in need is better than nothing!

Thanks Lois I've often wondered!

There’s a vast middle ground between vegan food (esp if they’re non vegans) and nothing though.

I don't know why the need to talk about "how proud" anyone is of this kind of thing.
Just take some food and be done with it; its not exactly a big deal, vegan or otherwise.

Apparently, looking forward to volunteering in a charity shop is virtue signaling....who ever would have thought?

I dunno who the person mentioned in the OP is and didn't hear the interview, so hard to judge but I got to know a street sleeper quite well and I always asked her if she wanted anything to eat, and if so, what (almost always a baked spud and a cup of ginger tea).
This is probably because she was quite elderly (and totally toothless) so perhaps I was already being more respectful than if she'd been younger than me, plus wondering what would be easier for her to eat because of her toothlessness. If she'd been young I might well have just given her a sarnie without asking what she liked or even considering that she might like the freedom of choice.
The thing I feel ashamed about is that I'd never considered before knowing her that street sleepers might like to be given a choice, rather than just pathetically grateful to have something foisted upon them.

...something's just crossed my mind about this subject. George Michael was hugely generous but the countless stories of his kindness & generosity didn't emerge until he died. Lots of other celebs make sure the media know about their Good Deeds at every opportunity.

I remember the book Little Women, where the March sisters and their mother 0give up their Christmas morning breakfast to a poor neighbour with children, one of whom was sick.
They trudged through snow carrying clothes and dishes, stuffed the broken windows with rags, lit a fire and dressed the baby in warm clothing then set the table with the food they'd been looking forward to eating themselves.
The poor sharing the little they have with even poorer fellow beings, is a light that shines far brighter than any rich person giving the crumbs from their table.

Not so sure that it's the celebs who tell the media. Often it's the benficiaries who spill the beans.

Call me a cynic but why are these " certain acts of kindness " always filmed/recorded ??
Genuine kindness is never recognised !!

I would have thought the fact they actually ate the vegan food showed how desperate they were.

Only joking

Always ask what a homeless person would like to eat. Homeless people can have allergies too.

These sorts of disclosures by 'celebrities' usually coincide with the launch of a record or a film or a new make up range. It's why I used to love Wallace and Grommit - you never saw them littering talk shows when one of their films came out!!