Love is power, truly miraculous. Many of us have our own explanation of love, Love for friendship, partner, family, and those we care about. It can express in many ways and so the bond that it creates but does love impact significant change? Do you believe that we can heal from this turbulent world through love?
An inspiring story about the Heart of Dinner, which was founded in NYC at the start of COVID-19 with the mission of addressing food insecurity and isolation among Asian American seniors will truly touch our hearts. Every Wednesday, care packages of hot lunches are served. A nutritious food in a brown bag with artistic designs matched by a handwritten and illustrated letter in their native language will undoubtedly bring comfort and joy to the elderly. It is more than just giving food; it is a powerful support and encouragement to Asian American seniors to uplift and exemplify the love language by giving food.
Yin Chang and Moonlynn Tsai, life and love partners and the founders of this non-profit organization, came up with the idea of bringing people together around a shared meal and a sense of community. The global impact of Covid-19, as well as the increased racism against Asian Americans, motivates them to take action and make a positive change to bring joy and hope to the community. In March 2020, the pair united their mutual love of language and food to birth Heart of Dinner’s # LovingChinatown relief efforts.
Photo Courtesy: Urban Outfitters
On April 1st, 2020, the couple prepared the first-ever Heart of Dinner hot lunches, which included sweet handwritten notes and were distributed to the most vulnerable in Manhattan's Chinatown neighborhood with a focus on the low-income and homebound elders that are needed to provide care. Heart of Dinner has been able to have a growing community through the help of social media. The national expansion of their volunteer network has resulted in the provision of 100,000 meals in January 2022. Time, Vogue, NBC and ABC News, Ellen, WSJ, and Fortune have all praised the organization. They've also been named Glamour Women of the Year.
Their continuous success has reached thousands of people in creating a wonderful act for humanity. We must say that this is proof that there’s hope for us. Proof that Love will make a way to heal our hearts and with our little help we can make it bigger and a part of us will have the courage to start a new path in building a good community.
References:
https://www.heartofdinner.org/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/heart-of-dinner
Photo Courtesy: Heart of Dinner, Alex Lau courtesy of Heart of Dinner, and Peter Som
Authored by: Nicole Anne Manzo
COMMENTS