The State of Volunteerism in America

The Critical Role Volunteers Play

Anthropologist and humanitarian Margaret Mead famously said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Meals on Wheels has always relied heavily on the selfless dedication of volunteers to advance its mission.

Volunteers are the network’s lifeblood. They provide homebound seniors with nutritious meals, wellness checks and social connections — services essential to maintaining their independence and well-being.

It’s not uncommon to meet volunteers who have dedicated 20 to 30 years to the organization, forming the foundation of its success. They’ve carried the weight and enormous responsibility of helping to serve 2 million homebound seniors every year — an incredible feat.

Yet, over half of local Meals on Wheels providers report a shortage of volunteers as a significant challenge to reaching more seniors in their community.

Without more volunteers, millions of seniors could be left hungry and alone. If current trends continue, the network could face mounting pressure — with rising demand and fewer volunteers, it will become increasingly difficult to get services to those who need them most.

The Decline in Volunteerism

The Do Good Institute, housed within the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, is dedicated to cultivating leaders and equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools to create positive social impact. Its work includes publishing timely research on volunteerism, civic engagement, philanthropy and the nonprofit sector.

Their key findings on volunteerism paint a telling picture.

First, the percentage of Americans doing formal volunteering over a year has stayed at 20 to 30 percent of the American population, stretching back over 40 years.

Second, they’ve sounded the alarm on a decline in volunteerism that began in the 2010s, first revealed by data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics, which show a disproportionate decrease in volunteerism in rural and suburban communities compared to urban areas.

The revelations hit on a few critical points:

• Volunteering has never been established as a regular habit among most Americans, leaving the burden of volunteering on a few very dedicated shoulders.
• These mainstays of the volunteer workforce have generally met the challenge: Even as the percentage of adults who volunteer declined, the total amount of service provided did not.
• In the past, people in small towns helped each other more often. However, the close ties that bind many of these communities are fading as they change and grow.

Dietz, research director of the Do Good Institute, says that just because we don’t hear about a national volunteer crisis doesn’t mean things are OK.

“The status quo is not stable,” Nathan Dietz says. “It can’t last, and we should take the opportunity to do more.”

Dietz’s urging emphasizes that we have a chance (and an obligation) to step up, make a difference and contribute to reviving volunteerism.

The Do Good Institute’s work also reinforces that the trend among Meals on Wheels volunteers represents the national picture: A specific, reliable group of dedicated volunteers carries most of the weight.

The COVID-19 Effect

Despite the stability across the Meals on Wheels network, COVID-19 had a profound impact. It prompted a significant portion of the volunteer base (especially older volunteers) to stay home, leading to a downturn in corporate volunteerism, further reducing available support.

“[The pandemic] broke a lot of people’s long-standing habits,” Dietz says.

The world changed as businesses shut down and more people stayed home. The rise of hybrid work and mass re-prioritizing of how people work, live and socialize all disrupted community habits.

Dietz notes the widespread weakening of “third spaces”: places outside of home and work where people congregate with other people, including non-profit organizations offering service opportunities, as a significant contributing factor to the decline of volunteerism.

“The important part is the frequency with which you get together with other people and do things,” Dietz says. “And if that is a part of your life regularly, then you’re more likely to behave in ways that help nonprofit organizations.

Dietz says organizations with strong ties to the community will be more resilient.

The Impact of Fewer Volunteers

The need for nonprofit organizations to serve communities’ most vulnerable has never been greater. The demand is so great that organizations often struggle to keep pace.

The ongoing decline in volunteerism, as reported by the Do Good Institute, is impacting the operations of nonprofits nationwide, forcing them to scale back, deny or delay service.

This status quo is also the reality for many providers in the Meals on Wheels network.

One in three Meals on Wheels providers has a waitlist with an average wait time of four months, and in some places, two years.

The reported volunteer shortage across the network only worsens the problem. As the need for meals and social connections grows, so does the challenge of maintaining the same level of service with fewer hands.

Something must change.

The Need for More Volunteers

Reversing the tide requires a collective effort among organizations and a greater willingness among community members to step up.

Organizations need better messages emphasizing volunteers’ vital role in ensuring the continued existence and deepened impact of organizations like Meals on Wheels, which are longtime pillars of communities.

“People are looking for someone to help them figure out what they can do to help others,” Nathan Dietz says.

That messaging might make the difference in rebuilding the volunteer base to meet the increasing demand for services for Meals on Wheels and all organizations.

It’s why More Than a Meal is a powerful rallying point for Meals on Wheels.

“You must show and tell people how they can change the world. One meal can make a difference, one person at a time,” Vinsen Faris, Chief Executive Officer at Meals on Wheels San Antonio, urges.

Everyone Has a Role to Play

The current state of volunteerism is a powerful reminder that your contributions to organizations rooted in maintaining the well-being of your community can have a powerful ripple effect and make a lasting impact.

Our communities need us.

We all have a role in building the next generation of volunteers — one that will help reverse the current trend and create a more connected, compassionate future. Rebuilding a strong culture of volunteerism won’t happen overnight, but it starts with individuals deciding to take action.

Whether someone chooses to deliver meals to seniors, mentor youth, support local shelters or lend their skills to a cause they care about, their time matters. Every hour you give, every person we support and every connection we build contribute to stronger, healthier communities.

Anyone can start today by connecting with your local Meals on Wheels provider to volunteer and help ensure no senior has to wait for life-changing, nutritious meals and moments of connection.