Help us nourish NYC’s Asian Elders with food, love, and joy every week.

Dear Cherished Supporter,

Thank you for taking a moment to connect with our mission. We are so grateful for the opportunity to share our journey with you—a journey born from a deep, instinctive need to care for our Elders. In March 2020, at the onset of the global pandemic, we leapt into action to support our Asian American elder community, who were facing devastating food insecurity, isolation, and loneliness.

While many believe the urgency that defined the pandemic has passed, the reality for our Elders remains critical. Even now, 1 in 3 Asian American older adults live below the poverty line. These challenges are not new. For decades, this community has been overlooked, its struggles masked by the harmful “model minority” myth, which conceals the deep inequities faced by Asian American Elders. This, combined with language barriers, technology gaps, and economic hardship, means that many continue to lack access to the resources and care they deserve.

Out of a guttural instinct to protect and uplift our Elders, we transformed our 300 square-foot apartment on the cusp of Chinatown and the Lower East Side into a sanctuary of cultural resonance and care. We hyperfocused on those in the most critical state, providing emergency food relief and addressing their emotional needs through handwritten notes in their native languages, making sure our Elders felt seen, valued, and dignified.

These care packages are more than just food—they are a lifeline. Filled with culturally meaningful lunchboxes and fresh groceries beloved in Asian immigrant households like bok choy, rice, mung beans (and more!), all lovingly bundled inside decorated bags, attached with notes of love & joy that deliver warmth, connection, and belonging.

As our work evolved beyond emergency relief, we built Heart of Dinner into a nonprofit focused on sustainable care. Thanks to our incredible community of donors, partners, volunteers, and small team of staff, we have transformed into a 501(c)(3) public charity that continues to nourish and uplift our Elders, week after week.

By Summer 2024, we have delivered over 200,000 meals to beloved Elders living in significantly under-resourced and underinvested communities across New York City. And our work is far from over. The challenges our Elders face didn’t begin with the pandemic, and they certainly won’t end with it. These hardships are rooted in long-standing societal and governmental neglect, where policies and systems have historically overlooked the needs of this community.

Looking forward, we have plans to build Heart of Dinner's own delivery infrastructure with a fleet of electric vehicles, hire a dedicated team of drivers trained in our protocols—which emphasize cultural respect and thoughtful care when serving our Elders—and we aim to increase our care package distribution by 25%. These efforts will build upon our ongoing commitment to delivering care packages to our Elders and existing beneficiaries with the same high level of deep care and compassion.

Behind the scenes, we are strengthening systems to support Heart of Dinner’s sustainable growth, so that we can continue to serve with deep care for years to come. With these steps, we aim to cover all five boroughs of NYC—and even dream of extending our love and care to California.

At the heart of Heart of Dinner is our belief in nourishing souls, bridging cultures and generations, and redefining what it means to care. We proudly support local businesses, empower individuals to uplift communities, and prioritize sustainability, creating a ripple effect of positive change.

We invite you to take action with us today. Your support will help build a world where love, dignity, and connection are not just ideals—but fundamental human rights.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Yin Chang & Moonlynn Tsai

Founders, Heart of Dinner