Although some volunteer organizations are down in numbers, many have experienced a significant increase in support during difficult economic times.

The growth of volunteerism can be seen, especially in Hooksett, where the Kiwanis Club is currently the fastest-growing group in New England.

“By the stroke of luck, we were born into good homes and good communities,” said Kiwanis President Fred Bishop. “That gives us an obligation to share that with the people around the world and in our country. That is what gives me the motivation.”

Currently the club has 67 members, and the club has expanded to the youth of the community, forming the Builders Club, a group that gives Cawley Middle School students the chance to get involved in volunteering.

“I think it’s very personally rewarding because you get a great feeling knowing you’ve helped establish young people serving the community,” said Bishop. “To see the interest, you assume kids are more interested in sports, texting on cell phones and playing video games – then you see these kids really involved.”

A similar group has been formed in Goffstown, where the Goffstown VolunTEENS can be found at the high school twice a month, advertising to the students about 13 organizations they can volunteer for.

Many of the students volunteer at the Goffstown Network food pantry. Although many households are struggling with the current economic climate, donations have actually increased according to David Greiner, a volunteer with the organization.

“I see stories all the time about the plight of food pantries,” said Greiner. “I find the opposite. The demand is definitely way up, but we’re doing well on the supply side because people hear the bad news and react. They see that they need to help. We’ve seen the support really pick up in the last 12 months or so.”

The Goffstown Network is open Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings, and Greiner said that if not for the volunteers, they would be unable to keep up with the heavy traffic.

Pelham’s Good Neighbors Fund has raised money for families in need since 1969, and Frank Sullivan, who has been with the group for 35 years, agreed with Greiner.

“People seem to donate more during tough economic times,” said Sullivan. “As a result of that, we’re able to help a lot more people in return with household expenses and other things.”

David Gilbert, a member of the Bedford Men’s Club said the group’s membership has been growing, and is up about 25 percent.

“I think we have some new people in town, and new people want to get out in the community and make a difference,” said Gilbert. “In our town, we’re no different than any other town. There are people in Bedford who need help, kids who need help, causes that need help. It’s still there, no matter where you go.”

Gilbert said he got involved with the club because of the effect he could have on the Bedford communities, particularly youth.

“I think it’s that I get to make a difference, and not just sit around and watch TV or whatever people do,” said Gilbert.

“We focus on kids in town, and the needs of the kids. It’s nice to do that because anything the kids need or want, they should have. If they see this volunteerism as a kid, maybe they’ll grow up to give back also.”

Ernest Henrichon said now is the time to give to the community. “Obviously there are more people in need right now,” said Henrichon. “There are very definite needs for people that are less fortunate, and those of us who are more fortunate should step up and help them out.”

One group having a particularly difficult time finding and holding onto volunteers is the Hopkinton Fire Department, which relies on its volunteers to respond to emergencies.

Fire Chief Rick Schaefer’s policy is to have every volunteer become a certified firefighter, which requires a time commitment. Schaefer has been with the department for 30 years and said that there is a rule that will not allow there to be more than 50 members of the department. “I had to be put on a waiting list and waited a year before I could take someone’s spot,” said Schaefer. “We currently have 30 people, and it’s just gone down, down, down.”

Recently Schaefer went to a conference on volunteerism, and the speaker at the event said that in general, people do not volunteer as much as they used to.

“I would love to see two or three new faces every year. It isn’t for everyone,” said Schaefer. “You rely more on mutual aid. If we had an incident years ago we wouldn’t, but now we bump it up and are more apt to call them. You do what you can with what you’re given.”

Those who do volunteer have a positive experience, and Pelham’s Sullivan said he is surprised with the thanks he gets, and not always from the community members receiving assistance from volunteers.

“A lot of the people who donate to us send us thank you cards to tell us how great of an organization we are,” said Sullivan. “They are giving us donations, but they’re thanking us. It’s a tremendous feeling.”