The sapphires were sent by the Happy Prince for two people. He first sent a sapphire to a young writer who was attempting to complete a play for the Director of the Theatre, so he could make money by selling it and buying firewood in order to finish his play on time. But he was too cold to write, and there was no fire in the grate, and he had passed out from hunger.
The prince gave his second sapphire to a match girl who was standing just below him in the square, and her matches had ended up in the gutter. The prince was well aware that her father would beat her if she did not bring some money home.