Testimonials & Quotes
How to collect testimonials, what makes a good one, and how to use them on the site
Testimonials are the most persuasive content on the site, and the most likely to stall the project. Start collecting them early.
What makes a good testimonial
"After my husband passed, the daily visits from my delivery volunteer became the highlight of my week. It's not just a meal — it's someone who checks on me."
Why it works: Specific and emotional. The reader can picture it.
"Meals on Wheels People is a wonderful organization that does great work in our community."
Why it doesn't: Generic praise that could be about any nonprofit.
The best testimonials share three things:
- A specific moment or detail. Not "they're great" but "the driver noticed I hadn't picked up my meal and called to check on me."
- Emotion the reader can feel. Relief, gratitude, connection, surprise.
- Relevance to the page. A donor testimonial on Donate, a caregiver quote on Caregivers. Match the voice to the audience.
Where the material is available, pair the person's words with their name or role, where they live or serve, one concrete detail, and a real photo. The goal is credibility and texture, not a full profile.
Where you'll need them
| Page | Who to quote | What to capture |
|---|---|---|
| Home | Anyone — meal recipient, volunteer, donor, family member | General impact, what MOWP means to them |
| Donate | Donor or meal recipient | Why giving matters, what it made possible |
| Monthly Giving | Current monthly donor | Why they chose recurring, what it feels like |
| What We Do | Meal recipient or family member | What the service means day to day |
| Meal Delivery | Meal recipient | The daily experience, the human connection |
| Community Dining | Regular diner | The social aspect, feeling of community |
| The Diner | Participant who eats there regularly | Being able to eat out again, and what that's worth |
| Diners Club | Diners Club member | Choosing where and what to eat, eating somewhere that feels like home |
| Beyond the Meal | Friendly Chats or Friendly Tech Visits participant | What the call or the visit changed |
| Get Meals | Meal recipient or family member | The experience of getting started |
| Caregivers | Caregiver or family member | Peace of mind, relief, trust |
| Volunteer | Current volunteer | Why they volunteer, what they get from it |
| Group Volunteering | Company or group that's volunteered | Team experience, impact they saw |
How to collect them
Ask a real question
Don't ask "Can you give us a testimonial?" People freeze. Instead ask a specific question: "What's the best part of your Tuesday deliveries?" or "What would you tell someone thinking about volunteering?"
Record, then edit
Have the conversation on the phone or in person and take notes. Real spoken language is almost always better than what someone writes in an email. Clean it up for grammar and length, but keep their voice.
Keep it short
1-3 sentences. If someone gives you a long response, pull out the strongest line.
Get permission
Always ask before publishing. A simple email is enough: "We'd love to use your quote on our website. Is that okay, and can we include your first name?" Some people prefer to stay anonymous — note it instead ("— A volunteer since 2019"). A photo alongside the quote needs its own yes. See consent and permissions.
Attribution
Every testimonial needs attribution. The more specific, the more credible:
- Best: full name and context. "Maria L., meal recipient since 2022"
- Good: first name and role. "David, weekly delivery volunteer"
- Acceptable: anonymous with context. "A family member from Multnomah County"
- Avoid: No attribution at all. Unattributed quotes feel made up.
If you can pair a quote with a photo of the person, do it. Research consistently shows that claims paired with a face photo are perceived as more truthful, and consumer surveys confirm that reviews with photos feel more credible. See the Photography & Media page for portrait guidelines.