Student Volunteer Program
Effective for all student volunteers beginning April 28, 2025.
Thank you for your interest in supporting Heart of Dinner’s mission to address food insecurity, social isolation, and loneliness among Asian American older adults. We’re excited to welcome students who want to make a difference while fulfilling academic service requirements through meaningful contributions.
Please note: Heart of Dinner is a small nonprofit with a dedicated but limited team. Until now, we have welcomed student volunteers informally, focusing our small staff’s attention primarily on delivering weekly care packages to our Elder beneficiaries. Starting April 28, 2025, we are introducing a new structured Student Volunteer Program to help create clarity for all.
All students participating from April 28, 2025 onward must follow the guidelines outlined below for service hour verification.
Age Eligibility
Ages under 18: Eligible for remote opportunities only (decorating bags and/or handwriting notes)
Ages 18 and over: Eligible for both remote and on-site opportunities
2025 Beta: Student Service Hour Program
We’re currently piloting a structured student volunteer hour verification program with a focus on remote contributions. This helps us maintain quality standards while creating meaningful, sustainable opportunities.
Here are two meaningful ways to help:
Decorate Bags and/or Write Notes
If you’d like to create decorated bags or handwritten notes (without needing hour verification), please reach out to [link to volunteer@heartofdinner.org]. We’ll provide you the information you need to follow our design guidelines and how to get started.
Start a Fundraiser
Hosting a fundraiser is a powerful way to support our mission and help us continue delivering love and nourishment to our Elders. [Link: Learn how to fundraise for Heart of Dinner.]
No matter how you choose to support, we’re so thankful for your time and heart.
Why We Encourage Remote Volunteering First
At Heart of Dinner, our greatest and most urgent need is for beautifully decorated bags and heartfelt handwritten notes to include in our weekly care packages for Elders. 700 decorated bags and 700 handwritten notes are needed every week for Elder care package deliveries.
Remote opportunities are the best way for students to make a meaningful and immediate impact while enjoying the flexibility to contribute on their own schedule.
Creative Expression: Your art and words bring emotional nourishment to our Elders who cherish these personal touches.
Flexible Scheduling: Volunteer from anywhere, at any time, and fit it into your own school and life schedule.
Meaningful Contribution: Every decorated bag and handwritten note you create helps us continue to uplift and care for our community of Elders. Many Elders will save and collect the bags and notes to look at whenever they feel lonely.
Given our small team and focus on care package deliveries, remote volunteering also allows us to more easily verify hours while preserving our limited on-site capacity for operational needs. For these reasons, we encourage all students to start with remote opportunities whenever possible! Below are the steps to get started as a Heart of Dinner student volunteer!
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.
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Step 4:
Receive Verification
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Remote Work: All submissions will be reviewed carefully.
Volunteer hours are based on the number of approved decorated bags and notes — not the amount of time spent working. -
On-Site Work: Hours are verified based on timely arrival, full-shift attendance, and active engagement throughout your shift.
Step 3:
Submit Your Work
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Remote Volunteers: Upload clear photos of your completed work via our Google Form.
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On-site Volunteers: Sign in and sign out with your site lead at the beginning and end of your shift.
Step 2:
Complete Your Volunteer Activity
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Remote Volunteers (all ages): Complete decorated bags and/or handwritten notes that meet Heart of Dinner’s quality standards.
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On-site Volunteers (ages 18+, NYC only): Complete full operational shifts on Wednesdays only.
Step 1:
Request Pre-Approval (Required Before Starting)
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Before beginning any volunteer work, students must complete the pre-approval process.
⚡Hours cannot be verified retroactively for work started without pre-approval.
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Email here with the subject line: “Student Hours Request” and include:
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Your full name
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School name
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Total hours required
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Deadline for completion
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Preferred volunteer activity
💡 Allow 3–4 business days for a response, as we are a small team prioritizing urgent operational needs.
Important Note About Hour Verification
At Heart of Dinner, we take great care with every item included in our care packages to honor the dignity and emotional well-being of our Elders.
Please Remember:
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Remote volunteer hours are calculated based on the number of approved bags and notes that meet our quality standards — not the number of hours personally spent.
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If a submission does not meet standards, we will provide feedback and invite revisions.
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Hours will only be verified once contributions meet Heart of Dinner’s quality guidelines.
Thank you for your understanding and commitment to care!
Volunteer Opportunities
REMOTE OPPORTUNITIES (ALL AGES)
1. HANDWRITTEN NOTES
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Language: Traditional Chinese (priority need); we will confirm availability of other languages if needed.
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Rate: 8–10 approved quality notes = 1 verified hour
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Volunteer hours are calculated based on the number of approved notes that meet our quality standards, not the number of hours spent writing.
2. DECORATED BAGS
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Transform brown paper bags into joyful works of art for Elder care packages.
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Rate: 3-5 approved quality decorated bags = 1 verified hour
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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.
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View Bag Decorating Guidelines - replace with toolkit link!
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Complete the pre-approval process before beginning
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Follow our design guidelines carefully
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Submit photos of your work via our Google Form for approval
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Accept feedback graciously and make requested improvements
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Meet agreed-upon deadlines
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Submit all verification paperwork at least 5 business days before your deadline
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ON-SITE OPPORTUNITIES (AGES 18+, NYC ONLY)
Our weekly operations require reliable volunteers 18+ years of age to pack and prepare care packages. Select sites may include delivery components.
Locations: Lower East Side, Two Bridges, Alphabet City, Harlem
Requirements:
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Pre-Approval: Students must first complete our pre-approval process by emailing here before participating in any on-site shifts.
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Volunteer Application: Students must complete our general volunteer application after receiving pre-approval.
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Shift Signup: Shifts are released quarterly via our Mobilize platform. Once approved, you may sign up for any open shifts available throughout the quarter on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Full-Shift Attendance: Full-shift attendance is mandatory for hour verification. Late arrivals or early departures will result in hours not being verified.
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Shift Length: Shift times vary slightly by location and typically range from 3 to 4 hours per shift.
Please note: Available shifts fill quickly once posted on Mobilize.
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Complete the pre-approval process before beginning
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Follow our design guidelines carefully
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Submit photos of your work via our Google Form for approval
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Accept feedback graciously and make requested improvements
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Meet agreed-upon deadlines
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Submit all verification paperwork at least 5 business days before your deadline
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What Is Eligible for Hour Verification
Eligible for Verification:
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Approved remote submissions (bags/notes meeting quality standards)
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Full completion of on-site operational shifts (with proper sign-in/sign-out)
Not Eligible:
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On-site bag decorating or note-writing sessions
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Incomplete shifts or late arrivals/early departures
Our Expectations for Student Volunteers
At Heart of Dinner, we hold all volunteers to the same high standards as non-student volunteers because our Elders deserve the very best. When you volunteer with us, we expect:
For All Volunteers
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Treat our mission, team members, fellow volunteer participants, and Elders with respect
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Understand that all work must meet our quality standards
For Remote Student Volunteers
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Complete the pre-approval process before beginning
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Follow our design guidelines carefully
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Submit photos of your work via our Google Form for approval
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Accept feedback graciously and make requested improvements
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Meet agreed-upon deadlines
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Submit all verification paperwork at least 5 business days before your deadline
For On-Site Student Volunteers
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Complete the pre-approval process before beginning
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Arrive promptly on-time when your shift begins
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Stay for the entire duration of your shift
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Cancellation Policy:
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Cancel with at least 24 hours notice if you cannot attend
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Two no-shows without notice OR three consecutive late cancellations will result in removal from our volunteer program
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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
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Follow all health and safety protocols
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Take direction from site leads respectfully
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Submit all verification paperwork at least 5 business days before your deadline
Ready to Begin?
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Complete Pre-Approval
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Follow Remote or On-Site Guidelines
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Submit Work or Sign In/Out
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Wait for Review and Approval Receive Verified Hours!
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Email us here with subject line “Student Hours Request” to get started!
INFORMATION FOR EDUCATORS
Thank you for considering Heart of Dinner for your students’ service learning opportunities. We are deeply grateful for your support as we pilot this 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:
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Share this landing page directly with students and families.
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Emphasize the pre-approval requirement — hours cannot be verified retroactively if students begin work without receiving approval first.
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Encourage focus on remote contributions (especially for students with busy or unpredictable schedules).
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Consider hosting a group session to guide students in decorating bags or writing notes using our provided guidelines.
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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
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Complete the pre-approval process before beginning
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Follow our design guidelines carefully
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Submit photos of your work via our Google Form for approval
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Accept feedback graciously and make requested improvements
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Meet agreed-upon deadlines
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Submit all verification paperwork at least 5 business days before your deadline
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Our greatest ongoing need is for decorated bags and handwritten notes.
Remote contributions allow for clearer quality review and more reliable hour verification, making them ideal for fulfilling academic service requirements.
No. For hour verification purposes, bag decorating and note writing must be completed remotely and submitted through our Google Form for quality assessment. On-site creative sessions are valuable community experiences but do not count toward verified hours.
Yes! Students who complete their full approved on-site operational shift (with proper sign-in and sign-out) are eligible for verified hours.
Volunteer hours are based on the number of approved decorated bags or handwritten notes* — not on the number of hours you personally spend working on them.
*See the rates: 3–5 approved decorated bags = 1 verified hour
8–10 approved handwritten notes = 1 verified hour
No! We provide sample phrases in Traditional Chinese that you can copy, even if you don’t speak or write the language yourself.
We process hour verifications within 5 business days after receiving all required documentation and approved contributions.
We will provide feedback and invite you to revise and resubmit. Hours will only be verified once your work meets Heart of Dinner’s quality standards.
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 pre-approval process and wait for confirmation before beginning any volunteer activities to be eligible for hour verification.