Student Volunteer Program
At Heart of Dinner, we bring joy and nourishment to Asian American older adults living with food insecurity, social isolation, and loneliness. Our student volunteer program offers meaningful opportunities for students to serve their community while fulfilling service hour requirements.
.jpg)
Is This Right for You?
Heart of Dinner's Student Volunteer Program is for students seeking verified student volunteer hours who can demonstrate commitment and professionalism. Our standards matter because our work directly impacts Asian American older adults.
👉 Just want to help without needing hour documentation? We'd love your support! Please contact us here to learn how to get involved.
Key Requirements
-
Complete registration form and sign required documents
-
Choose your path: remote (bag decorating/notes) or on-site (packing/delivery)
-
Meet strict quality standards - hours are earned, not given
-
Self-monitor your required hours and plan accordingly. We review work against our specific guidelines and approve hours when quality standards are met.
-
Request verification only after meeting minimum requirements
-
Important: We're a small team with limited resources. Every contribution matters, which is why we review all work carefully. Partial participation doesn't qualify for hours.
💡 Only work that follows our complete process will be eligible for hour verification and documentation.
By proceeding, you acknowledge understanding our student volunteer hour verification process. Your contributions help address food insecurity and social isolation, creating critical connections with Asian American older adults.
Please read all program details below BEFORE registering.
Volunteer Opportunities for Students Seeking Hours
REMOTE OPPORTUNITIES (ALL AGES)
This is our most popular option with the fastest way to get started and fastest approval turnaround. For student volunteer hours verification, this is the ONLY approved path for decorated bags and/or handwritten notes. On-site decorating does not count toward student hours.
1. HANDWRITTEN NOTES
-
Language: Traditional Chinese (priority need); other languages by availability
-
Rate: 5-8 approved quality notes = 1 verified hour
-
Student volunteer hours are calculated based on the number of approved notes that meet our quality standards, not the number of hours spent writing.
-
For a preview of our note writing guidelines and examples, view Note Writing Guidelines here
2. DECORATED BAGS
-
Transform brown paper bags into joyful works of art for Elders
-
Rate: 3-5 approved quality decorated bags = 1 verified hour
-
Student volunteer hours are calculated based on the number of approved decorated bags that meet our quality standards, not the number of hours spent creating them.
-
For a preview of our note writing guidelines and examples, view Bag Decorating Guidelines here
-
Treat our mission, team members, fellow volunteer participants, and Elders with respect
-
Complete the student registration form before starting
-
Follow our design guidelines carefully
-
Submit photos of your work via the Google Form that will be provided to you for review
-
Accept feedback graciously and make requested improvements
-
Approval of student volunteer hours will only be given after submissions meet quality standards we strive to provide to our Elders
-
Meet agreed-upon deadlines
-
ON-SITE OPPORTUNITIES (AGES 18+, NYC ONLY)
We have very limited capacity as shifts tend to fill up quickly. If you’re facing a strict deadline for student hours verification, select the remote path instead.
Our weekly operations require reliable volunteers 18+ years of age to pack and prepare care packages. Select sites may include delivery components.
Operation locations: Lower East Side, Two Bridges, Alphabet City, Harlem
-
Shift Length: 3-4 hours per shift depending on location
-
Signup: Quarterly releases via Mobilize platform, first-come basis. Please note that each site has its own availability and capacity.
REQUIREMENTS:
-
Complete student registration and sign waiver/conduct forms before shifts
-
Full attendance mandatory. Late arrival and/or early departure = no hours
-
Must be proactive throughout the full shift, or hours will not be approved
🛑 Note: While on-site student opportunities are limited to packing and delivery shifts, you may also be tasked with decorating bags and/or preparing them for upcoming week deliveries.
-
Treat our mission, team members, fellow volunteer participants, and Elders with respect
-
Complete the registration form and waiver forms before starting
-
Arrive promptly on-time when your shift begins
-
Stay for the entire duration of your shift and be proactive throughout the shift
-
Cancellation Policy:
-
Cancel with at least 24 hours notice if you cannot attend
-
Two no-shows without notice OR three consecutive late cancellations will result in removal from our volunteer program
-
We understand emergencies happen, but please respect that we depend on your commitment in order to carry out our operations efficiently and effectively to provide Elders’ their weekly nourishment
-
-
Follow all health and safety protocols and site lead direction
-
Submit all verification paperwork at least 5 business days before your deadline
-
How to Volunteer for Student Hours
To receive verified hours, students must complete these steps:
This is the space to introduce the Services section. Briefly describe the types of services offered and highlight any special benefits or features. Encourage site visitors to learn more by exploring the full list of services offered.
02
STEP 4: SUBMIT
Remote Volunteers (All Ages):
-
Upload clear photos via Remote Review & Approval Form provided in the welcome email
-
Wait 3-4 days for review and make any requested revisions
-
When you've completed your required hours, click "Complete Program & Request Documentation" in the student dashboard
-
Mail/drop off physical items which must include the submission slip provided to you
On-Site Volunteers (18+):
-
Notify site lead when you are leaving at the end of the shift
-
Site lead reports attendance and participation for review
-
Hours updated in dashboard every Friday after 5PM EST
-
Full attendance required - no partial hours
STEP 3: COMPLETE
Remote Volunteers (All Ages):
-
Create decorated bags/notes
-
Adhere to all quality standard guidelines
On-Site Volunteers (18+):
-
Arrive on time and stay for full shift
-
Check in with site lead and follow instructions
-
Participate actively throughout
-
No partial hours - full attendance required
QUALITY STANDARDS
All work is evaluated against our specific quality guidelines.
STEP 2: PREPARE
Remote Volunteers (All Ages):
After registration, you'll receive a welcome email with your next steps:
-
Access bag decorating toolkit and gather materials
-
Work at your own pace
-
Understand hour rates:
-
3-5 quality bags = 1 verified hour
-
5-8 quality notes = 1 verified hour
-
On-Site Volunteers (18+):
-
Sign required waiver forms
-
Review site expectations and sign up for available Wednesday shifts
-
Prepare for Wednesday shifts
-
Follow attendance policy
-
No shifts available? Switch to remote volunteering through your student dashboard - click "Remote Volunteering" for instructions.
STEP 1: REGISTER
What You'll Do:
-
Complete student registration form
-
Provide school contact info
-
Choose your volunteer path
-
Receive your Student ID
-
Receive link to your student dashboard to track your own progress of approved hours
Important Notes:
-
Registration required before starting
-
Hours cannot be verified retroactively
BEFORE YOU COMMIT
Ask yourself these questions:
-
Can I meet all requirements without exceptions?
-
Do I understand that partial work = no hours?
-
Am I ready to follow strict quality standards?
-
If I choose the remote option, can I accept feedback and make revisions if needed?
Important: We're a small, lean team with limited staff capacity. This structured approach is the only way we can responsibly offer student volunteer opportunities while maintaining our mission impact. We've designed this program to work within our resources - which means we can't make exceptions or provide additional support beyond what's outlined.
If you answered "yes" to all questions above, you're ready to register. If you have concerns about meeting these expectations or need more flexibility, we encourage you to explore student volunteer opportunities with larger organizations that have more capacity to accommodate different needs.
INFORMATION FOR EDUCATORS
Thank you for considering Heart of Dinner for your students’ service learning opportunities. We're grateful for your support as we continue our structured Student Volunteer Program. As educators, you play a key role in helping students uphold Heart of Dinner's values of care, respect, and excellence. Your partnership allows us to maintain the exceptional quality of care our Elders deserve.
At Heart of Dinner, our small team's primary focus remains delivering 700 care packages weekly with love and dignity. Remote contributions — beautifully decorated bags and heartfelt handwritten notes — directly address our most critical ongoing need while offering students meaningful and manageable ways to serve.
How You Can Support Your Students:
-
Share this landing page directly with students.
-
Emphasize the registration requirement — hours cannot be verified retroactively if students begin work without registering first.
-
Encourage focus on remote contributions (especially for students with busy or unpredictable schedules).
-
Consider hosting a group session to guide students in decorating bags or writing notes using our provided guidelines.
-
Help students understand that following our structure ensures their contributions meet the standards of care our Elders deserve.
Remote volunteering provides students of all ages with a meaningful opportunity to learn about food insecurity, social isolation, and Elder care in our communities — while making a tangible difference.
For classroom presentations or additional guidance, please contact us here.
STUDENT VOLUNTEER FAQs
Our program offers students the opportunity to earn volunteer service hours while supporting Asian American older adults experiencing food insecurity, social isolation, and loneliness. Students may volunteer remotely (any age) by creating decorated bags and handwritten notes, or on-site (18+ only) by assisting with packing and delivery.
We are a very small team delivering 700 care packages weekly, and our greatest ongoing need is for beautifully decorated bags and heartfelt handwritten notes. Each care package is assembled using a decorated bag and handwritten note, which means we need a continuous supply of quality bags and notes to build out all 700 packages every week. Remote student contributions directly support this essential need by providing the decorated bags and notes that bring joy and personal connection to the Elders we serve.
On-site volunteer spots are very limited and fill up quickly due to space and safety requirements. Remote contributions allow us to welcome more students while meeting our operational needs. Remote work also allows for clearer quality review and more reliable hour verification, making it ideal for fulfilling academic service requirements.
This approach helps us serve more students seeking verified hours while maintaining the exceptional care our Elders deserve.
There is no minimum or maximum for student volunteer hours. However, you should be realistic about your schedule and commitments. Remote volunteering offers the most flexibility since you can work at your own pace.
We welcome all students who can fully commit to our requirements and quality standards. Our program is designed for students who demonstrate reliability, attention to detail, and willingness to follow guidelines completely.
Remote volunteer hours are calculated based on completed items that meet our quality standards:
-
3-5 quality decorated bags = 1 verified hour
-
5-8 quality handwritten notes = 1 verified hour
This remote hour conversion rate is based on quality expectations, not on the actual time spent creating the items.
HERE'S HOW IT WORKS IN PRACTICE:
Example 1 - Decorated Bags (with revisions): A student spends 10 hours creating 10 decorated bags and uploads clear photos of them through the Remote Review & Approval Form (link provided in their welcome email after completing student registration and selecting the remote path). We review the bags and find they don't follow our guidelines, so we provide feedback for revisions. The student makes the requested changes and re-submits all 10 bags through the same form. This time, all 10 bags meet our quality standards and are approved. Result: 2 verified hours (10 approved bags ÷ 5 bags per hour = 2 hours).
Example 2 - Handwritten Notes (approved immediately): A student spends 1 hour creating 15 handwritten notes and submits clear photos through the Remote Review & Approval Form provided in their welcome email. All 15 notes meet our quality standards on the first review and are approved immediately. Result: 3 verified hours (15 approved notes ÷ 5 notes per hour = 3 hours).
Example 3 - Larger submission for 20 hours: A student creates 100 decorated bags and submits clear photos through the Remote Review & Approval Form. All bags meet quality standards and are approved. Result: 20 verified hours (100 approved bags ÷ 5 bags per hour = 20 hours).
Example 4 - Small submission: A student submits clear photos of 2 decorated bags through the Remote Review & Approval Form. The bags meet quality standards but Result: 0 verified hours (2 bags is less than the minimum 3 bags needed for 1 hour).
-
No! We provide sample phrases in Traditional Chinese that you can copy, even if you don’t speak or write the language yourself.
All materials and supplies are listed in the guide that will be emailed to you after registration. Here is a general idea:
For decorated bags, you'll need:
-
Heart of Dinner's plain brown bags
-
Acrylic markers
-
Black permanent marker for lettering
For handwritten notes, you'll need:
-
Note cards or card stock paper (not provided)
-
Markers, colored pencils, or other art supplies
-
Black pen for writing legible messages
-
First, submit clear photos of your completed work through the Remote Review & Approval Form (link provided in your welcome email after registration). Once your items are reviewed and approved, you can deliver the physical items by either:
-
Mailing them to our NYC office, or
-
Dropping them off at our partner location (Partybus Bakeshop in NYC) during business hours
-
Detailed instructions for both delivery methods will be provided to you.
-
We'll provide specific feedback and ask you to make revisions. Hours are only verified once submissions meet our quality standards. This ensures our Elders receive thoughtful, high-quality items that brighten their day.
Remote Volunteers: Yes! Remote work (decorated bags and handwritten notes) can be completed anytime.
On-Site Volunteers: No. On-site operational shifts are available only on Wednesdays.
No. All students must complete the registration process and wait for the welcome email with instructions of next steps before beginning any volunteer activities to be eligible for hour verification.
Due to the physical nature of the work, food safety requirements, and liability considerations, we can only accommodate adult volunteers for on-site positions.
Punctuality is essential for our operations. If you arrive late, you will not receive verified hours for that shift. We rely on every volunteer to fulfill their role from the start of the shift.
You must contact the site lead of the location you signed up for the on-site shift in order to cancel, and you must cancel at least 24 hours in advance. We understand emergencies happen, but three late cancellations or two no-shows will result in removal from the on-site program.
You can track your progress through your student dashboard, which is updated every Friday after 5pm EST.
Remote submissions are reviewed within 3-4 business days. On-site hours are reviewed weekly. All verified hours are updated on student dashboards by 5pm EST every Friday.
No. Heart of Dinner does not verify partial hours under any circumstances. For remote volunteering, hours are based on completed items meeting quality standards. For on-site volunteering, you must complete the entire shift as scheduled.
Only request documentation after you've completed all the hours you need. Use the "Complete Program & Request Documentation" button on your student dashboard.
We can provide:
-
Signature on your school's verification form
-
Official letter on Heart of Dinner letterhead
-
Both, if required by your school
Please allow 3-4 business days for processing documentation requests.
-
As a small nonprofit with limited resources, we must maintain high standards to effectively serve our Elder community. Our requirements teach important life skills like accountability, attention to detail, and professionalism, while allowing us to maintain operational efficiency.
Bag decorating and note writing at our sites is reserved for general volunteers who are not requesting hour verification. If you're a student seeking approved hours, all decorated bags and handwritten notes must be completed remotely and submitted through our Remote Review & Approval Form for quality check and approval. This is how we’re able to review and confirm your hours for official documentation.
No. While on-site student volunteer opportunities are focused on packing and delivery shifts, you might occasionally be asked to help with prep work, like decorating bags or getting them ready for the following week’s deliveries. If that happens, please note that any decorating you do during your on-site shift will count as part of your packing/delivery hours — not as separate decorated bag hours.