GET INVOLVED AND JOIN OUR
Handwritten Note Project
Handwritten notes are at the heart of our mission to reduce loneliness among Asian American Elders living in social isolation and with food insecurity in under-resourced communities. Through our approach, we create moments of joy, connection, and belonging that honor our Elders' physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Why Handwritten Notes Matter
At Heart of Dinner, every handwritten note is a bridge, fostering connection and showing our Elders that they are loved and remembered. Born from our founders' decade-long tradition of exchanging love notes as romantic partners, these personal messages reflect a shared belief that thoughtful gestures can make someone feel truly seen and cared for, even across generations and cultures. Whether your penned note supports our LA wildfire emergency relief or joins our NYC weekly home deliveries, it will find its way to an Elder, uplifting their spirit and emotional well-being. Whether or not you speak the language, your participation makes a meaningful difference. Like our founders, who began by using translation tools, we believe that showing up with your time and heart is an act of love that transcends language and makes people feel seen, connected, and cherished.
Our Current Programs & Language Needs
For NYC Weekly Home Deliveries (ongoing weekly need):
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Every week, we deliver 800 care packages to Elders, each one requiring a handwritten note
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Important Update as of Dec 2025: We are in time-sensitive need of Traditional Chinese notes - they are especially needed on a weekly basis as we continue our deliveries throughout 2025 and 2026. We are currently well-stocked in various other languages of our Elders.
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Regular, ongoing contributions (every month or every quarter) help us maintain these weekly deliveries of nourishment to Elders' homes year-round
For NYC Emergency SNAP Relief (Nov-Dec 2025):
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We have an ongoing need for more notes in SIMPLIFIED CHINESE
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We will continue to accept mail-in or drop-off submissions through December 20, 2025
For LA Emergency Relief (Jan-Sep 2025):
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We have been providing emergency care packages to Elders affected by the fires since January 2025
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Important Update for May - Sep 2025: We are in time-sensitive need of notes in Korean, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Tagalog, Thai, Hindi, and Vietnamese. Please mail to our California address provided below
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Each note will be included in Heart of Dinner's emergency care packages for Asian American older adults who are recovering from the devastating aftermath of the catastrophic wildfires and/or facing other critical hardships
INSTRUCTIONS
Our Elders often keep these notes close, reading them again and again when they feel alone. Please follow the instructions below to adhere to Heart of Dinner's guidelines to make sure that your efforts will lift the spirits of our beneficiaries.
The supplies listed below have proven to create the kind of durable, vibrant, and legible notes we're proud to include with our care packages. Please supply your own materials and supplies.
STEP 1. Gather Note Cards & Paper:
Note Cards & Paper (Choose one from the below three note card options):
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White Note Cards
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Size: Unruled 3"x5" click here
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Perfect for all types of decorations
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Durable enough to be cherished for years
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White Cardstock Cut to Size
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Size: Between 3"x5" and 4"x6"
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Pairs beautifully with our decorated bags
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Creates a cohesive look in our care packages
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Mixed Media Paper
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Ideal for colored pencil illustrations
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Size: Cut to same size options as above or click here
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STEP 2. Gather Writing Tools (For Clear, Easy-to-Read Messages):
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Black pens (1.5mm thickness): click here
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Tip: Choose pens with smooth ink flow that won't fade
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Pro tip: Ergonomic options help if writing many notes!
STEP 3. Gather Decorating Supplies for Joyful Art:
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Crayola Broad Line Markers: click here
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Perfect for bold, cheerful designs that bring smiles
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Creates bright, lasting colors
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Dual-tip Acrylic Paint Markers: click here
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Fantastic for vivid details that endure
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Creates vibrant art that lights up lonely moments
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Colored Pencils: click here
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Best on mixed media paper
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Perfect for creating gentle, whimsical, and lasting artwork
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Wildflower Stencils: click here
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Wonderful for adding delicate floral designs to your notes
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Simple to use - just trace and color for beautiful results (works great with colored pencils or markers)
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See below for a sample handwritten note using the wildflower stencils and colored pencils
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You can find these supplies at local craft stores or through the links above. Remember, while these are our recommendations, any similar supplies that meet the size and quality guidelines will work beautifully!
STEP 4: Create Your Love Notes
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Now that you’ve gathered all your art supplies, it’s time to begin creating your handwritten love notes for our Elders. Click on this link to access our Note Writing Guide which walks you through five steps for creating uplifting and beautiful messages. We kindly ask that you create batches of 25 love notes at a time to best support the flow of our weekly operations.
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In order to maintain the personal touch of handwritten notes, we kindly ask that each note is handwritten and hand-drawn. We do not accept photocopies.
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While creating the love notes, please keep in mind the following DON'Ts:
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Do not include sad, negative, or potentially upsetting content. Focus on uplifting, positive messages that bring joy and comfort.
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Do not include religious messages, prayers, or religious symbols in your notes.
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Businesses, corporations, organizations, and affiliations should not add their brand, logo, or tagline to the notes being attached to Heart of Dinner's care packages. These handwritten notes are not for marketing purposes. Handwritten notes received with any branding, logos, or taglines will NOT be used.
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Do not include political messages or affiliation on your handwritten notes.
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In all language affiliated with Heart of Dinner or our mission, we only allow for inclusive language. We strictly avoid divisive language, refraining from any speech that could be construed as pitting one community of color against another. Our focus remains steadfast on cultivating a multicultural community, diverse and inclusive, dedicated to highlighting the systemic challenges faced by Asian American older adults through an ethos of care, love, and unity.
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Once your notes are done, please bundle each set of 25 using rubber bands or sheets of paper.
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You’re now ready to submit your notes to Heart of Dinner! Scroll down for instructions on mailing or dropping them off in person.
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We’re so grateful for your creativity and time, and we warmly encourage you to keep contributing on a monthly or quarterly basis to support our ongoing need for handwritten love notes.
Exemplary Notes That Bring Joy to Our Elders
How to mail-in notes
NYC WEEKLY OPERATIONS + EMERGENCY SNAP RELIEF (ONGOING WEEKLY)
STEP 1: Complete the submission slip and include it in your package.
STEP 2: Write “Heart of Dinner Notes” on the outside of your package.
STEP 3: Mail to the below address and please note that this address is for mail-in only. No visits or drop offs.
Heart of Dinner
31 Howard Street
Unit #404
New York, NY 10013
LA WILDFIRE EMERGENCY RELIEF (JAN-SEP '25)
STEP 1: Complete the submission slip and include it in your package. Questions about LA relief effort notes? Email us here
STEP 2: Mark packages "Heart of Dinner Emergency Relief Notes"
STEP 3: Mail to the below address and please note that this address is for mail-in only. No visits or drop offs.
Heart of Dinner
2020 Columbia Street
#286
San Diego, CA 92101
How to drop off your completed love notes in NYC
Before you drop off
Please take care of all preparation before arriving at Partybus Bakeshop—this includes completing your submission slip, batching your bags or notes, and finalizing your count. Walk in ready for a quick handoff with your completed slip visible alongside your contributions.
Complete the submission slip by clicking here.
HOURS
Drop off hours follow Partybus Bakeshop’s operating hours. Please check Partybus Bakeshop’s Instagram bio for current drop off hours. Hours may change week to week.
LOCATION
31 Essex Street
New York, NY 10002
When you arrive at Partybus Bakeshop
Partybus Bakeshop is a bustling, beloved bakery serving customers throughout the day. They've generously opened their doors to serve as our NYC drop-off partner—a gift that makes it possible for neighbors to contribute decorated bags and handwritten notes to our Elders.
To honor this partnership and keep things running smoothly, we kindly ask that you:
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If there's a line of customers, please join it and wait for your turn
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Keep your submission slip visible with your bags or notes
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Gently let a staff member know you're dropping off Heart of Dinner bags and/or notes
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Hand off your items and slip directly to them
Partybus has been with us since the very beginning of our journey, and their support means the world to us. Thank you for treating our partners with the same care and thoughtfulness you've poured into your contributions for our Elders.
WHILE YOU ARE THERE
If you have the ability to, we encourage you to support Partybus Bakeshop while visiting. We created a special scallion bun together to nourish our Elders. When purchased at the bakery, 10% of scallion bun sales support Heart of Dinner’s mission.
Suggested Messages to Help You Write with Love
The below sample messages are here to make note-writing easier! Copy them by hand and decorate around the message with bright, colorful, and uplifting illustrations to spread warmth and joy. Many of our beloved Elders keep these handwritten notes close and read them again whenever they feel lonely—it’s a beautiful reminder that someone cares. We're so grateful for your time!
