The share of Americans who give time to soup kitchens, homeless shelters and food pantries is declining.

• By the numbers: Some 61 million people — or 23% of Americans — volunteered in 2021, per the latest census data. That was the lowest share since tracking began in the early 2000s, The Washington Post reports.

Why it matters: Nonprofits of all sizes and purposes are in dire need of volunteers — especially during the holidays and winter months.

• Shelters, mentoring programs and food pantries are shuttering due to the dwindling pool of helpers.

What's happening: Levels of volunteering haven't bounced back from the lows of the pandemic, when lockdowns kept people away.

• But the decline predates COVID, The Post notes. The people most likely to give their time are married couples and parents with young children. But younger Americans are delaying getting married and starting families.

🚨 The stakes: The drop in the number of volunteers comes amid climbing demand.

• Inflation is driving up the cost of food — and the number of people showing up for meals at soup kitchens.

☁️ Silver lining: Although the number of people who formally volunteer is declining, informal giving is rising.

• That includes helping a neighbor with child care, or running an errand for a sick friend. 51% of Americans said they informally gave time or money in 2021.

The bottom line: Consider adding a giving plan to your family's holiday traditions — donating toys, or spending a few hours handing out hot meals.

• 📨 If you know about a volunteering tradition, we want to hear about it! Drop us a note at [email protected] with your name and hometown. We'll include a few ideas tomorrow.

We've loved reading about your families' fun and unique holiday traditions all season. Here's one from reader Elisa Carlson in Moscow, Idaho:

• "As a military family, there have been many years where we were unable to join our own family holiday celebrations. We began a tradition of inviting other service members and their families over for a large dinner party."
• "We asked everyone to bring a favorite dish from their own family's holiday menu to share. This allowed all of our guests to have a little taste of home while also trying new dishes and sharing cherished memories from home!"