Consider This from NPR

Episode: What's motivating volunteers across the country, especially this Thanksgiving

Aired: November 27, 2025
Host: Scott Detrow

Overview

On this Thanksgiving-themed episode of "Consider This," NPR's Scott Detrow highlights the motivations, stories, and impact of American volunteers—especially poignant during the holiday season. Drawing from the "Here to Help" series and fresh interviews, the episode dives into personal narratives and community efforts, including key voices from across the country and a deep look at one of the largest food distribution events led by Project Give Back. The episode is a heartfelt exploration of why people give their time and the ripple effects of service.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Stories of Giving Back: Volunteers Share Motivation

• Gerard van der Werken (Habitat for Humanity Austin) [00:32]

  • 76 years old, celebrated his 50th build with Habitat.
  • Feels deeply moved at each home dedication due to his own immigrant story.
  • Quote:

    "I was called a crier. Every dedication I speak and I shed tears... there was a helping hand to get us here. And so I was very appreciative of that extending hand. So I was willing to give back." [00:32]

• Lee Cooper (Maine Needs) [01:27]

  • Packs clothing and personal kits for strangers, some in recovery from addiction.
  • Draws from personal experience—33 years sober.
  • Quote:

    "I did the best packing job I could for her... I wrote her a note that just said, good luck in your sobriety." [01:27]

Broad Tapestry of Volunteer Work

• Listener Submissions [03:06-04:48]

  • Hundreds of responses from across the country highlight the variety of volunteering: librarians, Scout leaders, food pantries, municipal boards, and compost groups.

  • James and Hillary Cornwell:

    • Medieval reenactor volunteers in schools for 35 years.
    • Quote:

      "We bring real metal and leather pieces of armor for kids to try on... volunteering in classrooms and keeping connected with kids. Some of the motivation is selfish. The students keep us sharp." [03:42]

  • Jake Sale (Opera Usher, San Francisco) [04:17]:

    • Nominates fellow volunteer ushers for their "quiet dignity."
    • Quote:

      "It’s not always about grand gestures. It’s small acts of steadiness." [04:27]

  • Sandra Hicks (Manchester, NH) [04:48]:

    • Remembered for nearly 50 years of activism and volunteerism, even as a legally blind person.

Focusing on Food Insecurity and Large-Scale Volunteerism

• Project Give Back at University of the District of Columbia [05:17-11:48]

  • Event brings together hundreds of volunteers—students, Greek organizations—packing food for families.

  • Ransom Miller—Founder and Chair:

    • Reflects on starting as a small office idea—helping six families—to feeding over 5,700 in 2025.

    • Quote:

      "Nobody gets paid. We don't have any paid staff. All of the money that we raise goes into our programming... we've assembled a team of people who have made that a seamless process." [08:55]

    • Notes the amplified need due to government shutdowns and paused SNAP benefits.

      • Quote:

        "There’s a need in this area for food assistance... the SNAP benefits and the federal government shutdown exacerbated that problem. We have never gotten the amount of calls that we got this year." [10:24]

    • The project now reaches into Maryland, Virginia, Oklahoma City, and Indianapolis.

    • Inspiration from the next generation:

      • Quote (recounting a conversation with his son):

        "He said, 'Well, don’t you think we should do more?... I think we should do more.'" [09:28]

  • Volunteer Motivation:

    • Meaty Bardinelli (volunteer for 20+ years) emphasizes the foundational need for food.

    • Jamir Farrer (Naval Academy student) says volunteering is about giving back when you have been fortunate.

    • Quote:

      "It's imperative that Maslow's hierarchy of needs starts off with food, clothing and shelter. And so if we don’t have food to sustain us, then it's a no go." —Meaty Bardinelli [06:27]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Gerard van der Werken:
  "It just moves me to see that there are people in this world that really understands that you can't get through life without a helping hand." [00:32]

• Lee Cooper:
  "I know what it's like in early sobriety... I wrote her a note that just said, good luck in your sobriety." [01:27]

• James Cornwell (on classroom volunteering):
  "Now all of us are old enough to be the seventh graders' grandparents. Well, there's a sense of fulfillment in volunteering in classrooms... The students keep us sharp." [03:42]

• Jake Sale:
  "There's a quiet dignity in what they do... It's not always about grand gestures. It's small acts of steadiness." [04:27]

• Meaty Bardinelli:
  "If we don't have food to sustain us, then it's a no go. It's a non starter, right?" [06:27]

• Ransom Miller:
  "What better to franchise than service and helping other people?" [11:30]

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Introduction; Thanksgiving focus and "Here to Help" series highlight | | 00:32 | Gerard van der Werken's story of volunteering with Habitat for Humanity | | 01:27 | Lee Cooper explains personal motivation for volunteering with Maine Needs | | 03:06 | Listener nominations—diverse volunteer stories begin | | 03:42 | James and Hillary Cornwell share their experience as classroom reenactors | | 04:17 | Jake Sale on the steady acts of volunteer ushers | | 04:48 | Sandra Hicks remembered for a lifetime of advocacy | | 05:17 | Shift to large-scale volunteering: Project Give Back's Thanksgiving food distribution | | 05:53 | Ransom Miller coordinates volunteers | | 07:11 | Ransom Miller recounts the origins of Project Give Back | | 08:55 | Scale and logistics of Project Give Back in 2025 | | 10:24 | The impact of federal shutdown and increased food insecurity | | 11:30 | Project Give Back expands—“franchising” service | | 11:48 | Episode wrap-up, key stats (helping >5,700 families in 2025), and closing remarks |

Tone and Messaging

Reflective, grateful, and community-centered, the episode blends emotional personal testimony with large-scale organizing, illustrating that service takes many forms and every act—big or small—makes a difference. It celebrates those who give back and underlines the continued need for compassion and collective action, especially during challenging times and the holiday season.