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WILMINGTON – UNC Wilmington encouraged its students to lend a helping hand when it invited 50 nonprofit groups on campus for the fifth annual Community Service Fair, a way for organization to tell the students about volunteer opportunities.

As nonprofit dollars decrease with the downturn in the economy, organizations said any volunteer help is welcome.

“These nonprofits rely very heavily on volunteers because their funding is very limited in most instances, and volunteers really provide that labor they need to do the work that they are trying to do,” event organizer Brandon Ostwalt said.

According to the Center for Leadership Education and Service, more than half of UNCW students volunteer.

Some freshmen said they are excited to add to the number of volunteers.

“I really liked it because I didn’t know what all Wilmington had to offer because I am from Raleigh, so it was really helpful,” freshman Ashleigh Brandt said.

The number of nonprofit attendees this year doubled that of last year. Organizers said it’s most likely because of the economic instability and need for volunteer help.

“It’s all about finding the passion, the students’ passion, linking up a passion they have for service with a social issue or environmental issue, to take that action and channel it into actions,” Ostwalt said.