“James the Ice Creamcycle Dude” in Buffalo, USA gives out ice cream for free, if you know the answer to math or history questions.

James Karagiannis, 36, owns an ice cream cart company, Ice Creamcycle. He is determined to sell his ice cream in affordable prices, at $1 apiece (0.9€), but not everyone has the money to buy the frozen treats.

“One of the hardest parts about being an ice cream dude is seeing the disappointment on a kids face when all of their friends buy ice cream but they're left out because they don't have a dollar,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

Karagiannis tours around Buffalo with his cart and once in poor neighbourhoods he comes across children who cannot afford a $1 treat, he offers them a free ice cream, in reward of answering a question correctly.

The children write thank you notes for the donors. Photo: James The Ice Creamcycle Dude/Facebook

He might ask them a simple maths problem or show them a dollar, asking who is pictured on the bill. Sometimes he asks the child to pick up litter from the streets.

Karagiannis has become a recognisable character in Buffalo neighbourhoods. The word about his generous method spread, and customers started giving $5 or $10 donations to help the poor children get ice cream.

“I often have people give me a few bucks and say give ice cream to the next few kids. However they never get to see the joy on kids’ faces when I hand them out,” Karagiannis said.

He came up with the idea that in order to get free ice cream, the kids should write a thank you note, which are then mailed to the donors.

“I don't like the idea of just giving something away to a kid without at least trying to teach a lesson. We're in these neighborhoods everyday and are a part of these kids lives, therefore we have the responsibility to be positive role models,” he said.

His “Pay It Forward” fund is growing fast.

“I thought maybe $400 to $500 max, but we’re at $4,500 right now,” he said. “It’s crazy. People add comments when they make their donation online. I really didn’t think it would make such an impression. Expats thank me for taking care of their hometown.”

With the postcard printing costs, postage and labour, Karagiannis said he is not making a lot of money from the ice cream business.

“I just think it's something that just makes all of us feel good.”