visit to soldiers at the front; gift for soldiers on the battlefield
Refers to visiting soldiers in a war zone to boost morale, or the gifts (often food or comfort items) brought during such a visit. Strongly associated with wartime or military contexts.
During the war, many people sent comfort bags as gifts for soldiers at the front.
The general visited the troops at the front to encourage them.
visit to someone working hard; gift for someone working hard
Extended figurative use: visiting someone who is working intensely (e.g., during a project crunch or exam preparation) to show support, or the gift (often food) brought on such a visit. Less common than the military sense.
I brought rice balls as a gift for my friend who was studying hard for exams.
I delivered coffee as a morale-boosting gift to my colleague who was working overtime.