More than 45 local and national organizations ranging from AIDS support groups to afterschool tutors stood ready at City Hall Plaza Wednesday at the Greater Boston Volunteer Fair.

Volunteering has become more popular as the world becomes a more difficult place, Fidelity Investments spokeswoman Veronica Johnson-Eghan said.

“When people see what is happening in the world and country today and what is happening with the economy, they realize how fortunate they are and respond to a need to give back,” she said.

The fair draws between 700 and 1,000 people each year, and the numbers continuously go up, Johnson-Eghan said.

Greater Boston Volunteer Fair Good2gether is a for-profit organization that publicizes and promotes nonprofits online at no cost. Since its launch in June, the company has partnered with major metropolitan newspaper websites, including Boston.com, to reach a broad audience and connect people with the causes they care about, programs director Allison Flaherty said.

“This fair is a great resource for people who can come in to learn about opportunities to volunteer,” Flaherty said. “Good2gether is the continuation of this resource so you can always find the right information for you when you want to give to a cause.”

Boston already has a strong volunteering tradition, Boston Cares employee Kelly Clark said.

“This fair is a great tool to entice people during their lunch break to learn more about the opportunities Boston organizations offer, and contribute to society like so many have,” she said.