Bendigo Volunteer Resource Centre manager Helen Yorston says volunteering has changed dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
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All is not lost though, with new volunteer groups emerging to help the community.
"There have been some terrific opportunities for spontaneous volunteers helping with our emergency relief services and sewing gowns and scrub hats for doctors," Ms Yorston said.
Monday marks the beginning of National Volunteer Week.
The week is traditionally marked with morning teas and presentations to local volunteers.
This year, volunteer groups are celebrating online.
The theme of this year's week is Changing Communities, Changing Lives.
Volunteer Central Vic coordinator Lisa Richards said volunteers make such a valuable contribution to our community.
"We hope to inspire people to stay connected with volunteering as we move forward to recovery," Ms Richards said.
Those sentiments are shared by Ms Yorston who said the BVRC is sharing volunteering opportunities with the community on a regular basis.
"We have made short videos reflecting on some of our volunteer team, who offer their comments about their volunteering experiences," Ms Yorston said.
Volunteer opportunities are adjusting to changing community need, as opposed to being a weekly right of passage.
"When we have community events, I hope there will be more people able to lend a hand to make things happen," Ms Yorston said.
The Strathfieldsaye Probus Club has been keeping busy by making scrub hats and laundry bags for the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Club member Glenys Cossar's daughter Susan works as a nurse at the hospital.
The pair thought colourful scrub hats would be an asset to staff amid the pandemic.
Through the work of volunteers at the club, 80 scrub hats and 70 laundry bags were delivered to the hospital in the program's first week.
More than 600 hats and 200 laundry bags have been delivered since the program launched.
Club president Pam Williams said the hospital sent notes of thanks to the club.
"Staff were grateful to know they were being looked after and that each item was made with loving care," Ms Williams said.
Bendigo Foodshare, Eaglehawk Community House and Gowns for Doctors are just some of the local organisations looking for volunteers.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities in Bendigo and central Victoria, visit bgovolunteers.org.au and volunteercentralvic.com.au