SPOKANE, Wash. – Volunteer participation in Washington state and Idaho is bouncing back to pre-pandemic levels, providing crucial support for nonprofits across the region.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau and AmeriCorps, nearly 33% of Washingtonians volunteered with a nonprofit in 2023, up from 25% in 2021. This places Washington 22nd in the nation. Meanwhile, Idaho ranks 15th, with 34.5% of residents donating their time, an increase from 28% in 2021.
Becky Sessions, an experienced volunteer, shared her motivation for helping others. “I feel like I’m a part. I’m a part of doing something,” she said. Sessions and her husband were recently seen stacking shelves at the Salvation Army, helping to feed people during the winter months.
Volunteers play a vital role at the food bank. “You get a lot done volunteering. The looks on people’s faces, the appreciation they have for the help that they’re getting. That’s pay enough,” Sessions emphasized.
Staff members at the food bank noted the impact of volunteer contributions. “We can keep the place cleaner, we can keep the shelves stocked, we’re able to keep the warehouse organized and cleaned,” Kelsey Salib said. “The more volunteers we have, the more we’re able to do.”
Volunteers also help save the food bank money. “We have had shopping carts stolen from here… and with more volunteers we’ve never had a shopping cart stolen,” Sessions explained. This reduces the need to spend on replacements, allowing more funds to be directed towards food.
A recent study revealed that Washington’s nonprofit volunteers generated $6.4 billion for the economy in 2023, ranking fifth in the nation. “We as a nonprofit and a social service provider in Spokane, we rely on the generous time and talents of our community,” Captain David Cain with the Salvation Army said.
The Salvation Army is especially in need of volunteers this year due to a shorter red kettle season.
“The Salvation Army has less days because Thanksgiving come a week later than usual, so we need more volunteers to come do this work,” Cain said.
For those interested in volunteering, the Salvation Army encourages participation in activities such as ringing the bell or stocking shelves.
“We only have so many people here on a regular basis so even when people stop by for just an hour, two hours, it helps so much,” Salib said.
For more information on how to volunteer or donate, Ring the Bell. The Salvation Army is also currently seeking donations for their food bank due to disruptions in their usual delivery schedule caused by Thanksgiving.
