Heart Of Dinner

Donate to Heart of Dinner's mission in addressing food insecurity, social isolation, and loneliness among Asian American older adults living in NYC's under-resourced and underinvested communities.

Concerning data reveals that 23% of Asian New Yorkers live in poverty, significantly higher than the citywide average of 16% of all New Yorkers. And a staggering 28% of Asian American older adults 65+ live in poverty. As the American Bar Association reveals, Asian elders, especially those from immigrant backgrounds, endure more social isolation and mental health struggles than their peers due to linguistics, financial, and cultural barriers. These factors combined significantly impact the mental and emotional well-being of Asian American older adults in a city where depression and suicide among older adult immigrants are on the rise.

Heart of Dinner addresses these critical community needs by home-delivering to Elders with Heart of Dinner's signature nourishing care packages of culturally thoughtful and nutrient-dense food, bundled inside lovingly hand-illustrated bags, attached with uplifting handwritten notes in the Elder's native language.

Quick Links to Learn More about Heart of Dinner a 501c3 nonprofit public charity:

• Click here to visit Heart of Dinner's official website to learn more about the organization.
• Click here to watch Fortune's video "Aging Asian Americans face high rates of social isolation and poverty" and Heart of Dinner's work in addressing this directly.

Heart of Dinner’s Story & Its Evolution from our Founders:

Dear Cherished Supporter,

Thank you for taking a moment to connect with our mission. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to share our incredible journey with you—a journey that began with a genuine concern for our beloved elderly Asian American community. In the midst of the challenging times brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, we witnessed the hardships faced by our elders, from food insecurity to intense loneliness and social isolation. The urgency to act became even more apparent when we learned that a staggering 28% of Asian American older adults in NYC live in poverty, surpassing the citywide average of 16%. It is crucial to understand that the pervasive "model minority" myth masks the very real challenges this community endures. This stereotype not only oversimplifies the diverse experiences within our community but also perpetuates harmful narratives, leaving many elders without the vital resources they need and leading to isolation and despair.

It is in these times that Heart of Dinner was born—a heartfelt response to nurture those who remind us of our own grandparents. We felt a deep calling to reassure our Asian American elders that they are cherished, seen, and valued beyond measure. For many of us, especially those with immigrant heritage, food holds a significance that goes far beyond sustenance. It is a profound gesture overflowing with love, respect, and cultural richness.

Our journey began in a humble 350 square-foot apartment on the cusp of Chinatown and the Lower East Side. We transformed our home into a sanctuary of cultural resonance and dignified care for our Elders. Starting with homemade meals that brought back memories of comforting family dishes that our own grandparents loved to eat, paired with handwritten notes of love and joy on each to-go container. We soon expanded to providing comprehensive care packages.

These care packages are more than just nutrients, they are filled with culturally thoughtful items like bok choy, bags of rice, and mung beans. And to add more layers of personal touch, we build care packages using bags that are uniquely hand-illustrated and attached with handwritten notes in our beneficiaries’ native languages to evoke a sense of home and connection. We organize extraordinary volunteers, worldwide, to contribute their heartfelt notes and bags!

None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of our community. Heart of Dinner's champions, donors, partners, dedicated team, extraordinary volunteers, and collaborators have been instrumental in our journey. We are incredibly honored to share that our journey navigating from a pop-up relief efforts initiative to a budding 501c3 public charity has been a labor of love, intention, and meticulous care. Carrying on our mission beyond the time of the Covid-19 pandemic holds a special place in our hearts, as it signifies our unwavering commitment to serving and uplifting our beloved Asian American community of Elders who've faced inequities for far too long. And we at Heart of Dinner are humbled and privileged to address these needs that have been historically overlooked.

As of early 2024, Heart of Dinner has provided over 185,000 meals across NYC reaching beneficiaries who live in significantly under-resourced and underinvested communities.

At the heart of Heart of Dinner is our mission to nourish souls, bridge generational and cultural gaps, and redefine the essence of care, connection, and community. While carrying out our cause, we believe in supporting local businesses, empowering individuals to support communities, and prioritizing sustainability, creating a ripple effect of positive change in our society.

We invite all of you to join us on this incredible journey. Together, we can reshape narratives and build a world where love, dignity, and sincere care are not just ideals, but fundamental human rights.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Yin Chang & Moonlynn Tsai

Founders, Heart of Dinner