Volunteer Engagement and Recruiting for Food Banks in the Face of Rising Economic Insecurity

While it’s always encouraging to observe volunteers contributing to their communities in the face of economic uncertainty, nonprofits can’t afford to take this level of motivation for granted. In 2022, 12.8 % of American households experienced food insecurity. Households with children have even seen an increase in food insecurity from 12.5% in 2021 to 17.3% in 2022.

As a result, one out of every six Americans has turned to food banks and pantries or meal programs. And while it’s comforting to know these organizations provide a safety net for those in need, they’ve also seen fewer donations since everyone recovered from the pandemic and felt like the worst was behind us.

To successfully address the challenges ahead, food banks need to develop comprehensive strategies to engage and recruit volunteers for the long run. Here’s how.

Understanding the Volunteering Landscape at Food Banks

Ever since the pandemic, we’ve seen a major discrepancy between public perception of food bank volunteering and behind-the-scenes insights. While 73% of respondents in a 2020 survey stated volunteer activity would be more important than ever after the pandemic, 46.8% of nonprofit CEOs reported in 2023 that volunteer recruitment posed a big challenge.

It’s easy to just state the problem, but those on the inside already know it’s just as complex as ending hunger. Individual volunteers who planned to give their time may struggle to do so due to debt, inflation and lack of awareness. Naturally, there will always be regional or demographic differences. Parents and college graduates, for instance, tend to be more likely to volunteer on average.

All of these factors combined put food banks specifically in a very delicate position. On one side, they see demand for their planned giving constantly rising. On the other, they observe shifting interests, with more people seeking flexible, skill-based opportunities and virtual or group volunteering options.

Many food banks are adapting their volunteer engagement strategies to accommodate. Diversifying volunteer opportunities is certainly a great first step, but to ensure they can meet the growing needs of their communities, they’ll have to rely on comprehensive engagement strategies.

How Your Food Bank Can Engage and Recruit Volunteers Effectively

By crafting tailored messaging and utilizing the right platforms for outreach, you can attract a diverse and dedicated volunteer base. Here's how:

Targeted Messaging for Different Demographics

Each group has unique motivations, schedules and communication preferences. Tailoring your messaging accordingly can make a significant difference in recruiting dedicated volunteers.

1. Retirees: Often looking for meaningful ways to spend their time, retirees can be a reliable volunteer group. Emphasize the social aspects of volunteering and the opportunity to share their lifetime of experience. Campaigns that highlight the sense of purpose they can gain resonate well with this group.
2. Students: With busy schedules but a strong desire to make a difference, students are often motivated by opportunities for development. Messaging that highlights how a volunteer position can boost their resumes and provide networking opportunities can be particularly effective. 
3. Professionals: Those with expert knowledge may be interested in giving back through a skills-based volunteer opportunity. Highlight how their expertise can make an impact and try to tailor onboarding to their background from day one. Flexibility is key here, as many professionals will need to balance volunteering with their work commitments.

Make sure to pair your messaging with streamlined onboarding and attractive incentive programs to give volunteers from different backgrounds a great experience.

Utilizing the Right Platforms for Outreach

Once you have crafted your messages, it’s essential to deliver them through the most effective channels. Different platforms can help you reach the right volunteers at the right time:

• Social Media: Platforms like Facebook and Instagram are invaluable for reaching a broad audience. Create compelling visual content, such as videos and infographics, that tell your food bank’s story and demonstrate the impact volunteers can have. Regularly engage with your followers by responding to comments, sharing success stories and posting volunteer opportunities.
• Community Boards: Both online and physical community boards are great for local outreach. Posting flyers at community centers, libraries and cafes can attract volunteers who prefer to engage with local causes. Online community boards, such as those on neighborhood apps or websites, are also effective for reaching potential volunteers who are actively looking for ways to get involved locally.
• Volunteer Matching Websites: Websites dedicated to connecting volunteers with organizations, like Rosterfy’s Community Register, can help you reach individuals who are specifically searching for volunteer opportunities. Ensure your food bank's profile is complete, engaging and up-to-date to attract the right volunteers.

To maintain momentum, it’s important to have a strong online presence and engage regularly with your community. Regular updates, success stories and calls to action can keep your food bank top-of-mind for potential volunteers.

Creating New Opportunities Through Collaboration and Volunteer Management

In challenging times marked by rising economic insecurity, food banks can significantly enhance their volunteer recruitment and engagement efforts through strategic collaborations. By partnering with local businesses, schools and community organizations, food banks can:

• Expand their volunteer network: Partnering with local entities like businesses and civic groups can introduce food banks to potential demographics, like families with kids, thus diversifying the volunteer pool.
• Boost engagement: Joint initiatives, such as school-led food drives or corporate volunteer days, foster a sense of community and shared purpose, increasing participation.
• Share resources: Collaborations can lead to resource sharing, such as venues for events or supplies for food distribution, easing the operational burden on food banks.

These collaborations not only benefit food banks but also provide valuable community engagement opportunities for the partners involved, fostering a win-win relationship. 

To maintain a strong volunteer base, food banks must prioritize effective volunteer management. Rosterfy provides tools to streamline volunteer recruitment and scheduling, making it easier to manage large teams effectively. Dedicated communication tools make it easier to show your appreciation and keep engagement high, or even share success stories with your donors.

Tailoring Roles to Volunteer Strengths

Matching volunteers to roles that align with their skills and interests is crucial for maintaining engagement and satisfaction. Consider the following strategies:

• Assess Volunteer Strengths: During the recruitment process, use tools like Rosterfy to assess volunteers' skills, preferences and availability. This data helps in assigning them to roles where they can excel and feel fulfilled.
• Diverse Opportunities: Offer a variety of roles, from administrative tasks to hands-on food distribution, to cater to different skill sets and interests. This not only keeps volunteers engaged but also ensures that the food bank operates smoothly.
• Feedback and Adjustment: Regularly solicit feedback from volunteers and be open to adjusting their roles based on their experiences and evolving interests. This flexibility helps in retaining volunteers and building long-term relationships.

Fight Food Insecurity – Effectively

While many food banks go through challenging times, we can also see the passion many volunteers bring into these organizations. To tap into that energy, it’s crucial to adapt volunteer engagement and recruitment strategies that respect today’s circumstances.

If you make a step toward volunteers and engage them in a way that’s meaningful to them, we all win. At Rosterfy, we want to take the burden of administrative tasks and repetitive communications off your plate so you can focus on your actual mission. Book a call today to see it in action, so we can fight food insecurity together.

About Rosterfy

Rosterfy is used by nonprofits, charities, sporting federations, local governments, and more to better manage their volunteer programs by improving how they can recruit, screen, train, and retain volunteers.

Our market leading technology helps you create an engaging experience throughout the whole lifecycle of your volunteer journey.

Book a call today.

Keep reading more on our blog 

Read more helpful articles on our blog:

• Sustaining Holiday Volunteers: Strategies for Year-Round Commitment
• Training with Purpose: Enhancing Volunteer Effectiveness and Satisfaction
• How to Reward and Recognize Your Volunteers