Control Panel
Millions of neighbors are pitching in. Join them.
Neighbors who volunteered
Last year, neighbors gave 4.99 billion hours — about 13,671,233 hours/day • 9,494 hours/min.
What this means
People everywhere are helping — coaching kids, packing food, checking on seniors, cleaning parks. You can start with just one hour.
Source:
https://www.americorps.gov/newsroom/press-release/more-757-million-people-volunteered-america-americorps-reports
People working in nonprofits
That’s about 1 in 10 private-sector jobs in the U.S.
What this means
Helping is a career path too — from health and education to the arts and the environment.
Source:
https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2024/nonprofits-accounted-for-12-8-million-jobs-9-9-percent-of-private-sector-employment-in-2022.htm
Ways to help today
Real volunteer listings you can sign up for right now.
What this means
There’s something for every schedule — one-time shifts, remote help, weekend projects, and more.
Source:
https://www.idealist.org/en/careers/how-to-get-started-volunteering
Local governments that need you
Cities, counties, schools & special districts — with boards & commissions neighbors can join.
What this means
Every community has seats for everyday people — arts boards, parks boards, housing committees, and more.
Source:
https://www.stlouisfed.org/publications/regional-economist/2024/march/local-governments-us-number-type
Want to lead locally?
Type your city & state and we’ll open a quick Google search for boards & commissions applications.
Examples (open in new tab):
https://www.houstontx.gov/boards/
https://oca.harriscountytx.gov/Boards-And-Commissions
Houston Food Bank - State Legislative Priority Wins
Texas leaders approved steps that can reduce food insecurity and improve access to care. The state budget funds critical upgrades to the eligibility and enrollment system, HB 4226 makes it cheaper for food banks to operate trucks, and HB 26 authorizes “Food Is Medicine” supports—including a pilot for pregnant Texans. Together, these moves can help families get support faster and keep more healthy food moving to neighbors in need.
The Houston Food Bank
The Houston Food Bank (HFB) is the largest food bank in the United States by volume, distributing nearly 150 million nutritious meals annually to neighbors across 18 counties in Southeast Texas. But HFB is more than a food distribution center—it’s a hub for innovation, equity, and systemic change.
With over 90% of its food rescued from retail and commercial partners, HFB’s model is rooted in sustainability. Its logistics are world-class, but its strategy is people-first: linking food security with deeper investments in dignity, policy change, and long-term community well-being.