In a new Pew Research Center survey, released August 7, 18% of U.S. adults said they had volunteered or made a donation through a religious organization during the COVID-19 pandemic. About three in 10 (29%) said they had volunteered or made a donation through a nonreligious organization.
About four in 10 adults (39%) reported they have helped a friend or neighbor by delivering groceries, running errands or helping with childcare, according to Pew.
Broken out by religious affiliation, Black Protestants (48%) and Hispanic Catholics (43%) were most likely to support someone directly. Jews (45%) and agnostics (41%) were most likely to support a nonreligious organization, and evangelical (32%) and Black (31%) Protestants were most likely to support a religious organization, according to survey data.
By comparison, fewer U.S. adults say they have asked for help from others during the coronavirus outbreak. Nearly one in five (17%) say they have turned to family or friends for help with bills, housing or food. About one in ten say they have asked for help with bills, housing or food from a nonreligious charitable organization. And 6% report that they have sought help from a religious organization.
