Can I deduct meals that I buy while volunteering?

In general, the answer is no. If you are volunteering at a blood drive and pay for your lunch, you cannot deduct the meal. If you are volunteering at a walk-a-thon fundraiser, you cannot deduct any meals you buy during the course of the event.

However, in some circumstances in which you are traveling as a chosen representative for a charity, you may deduct the cost of meals. For more information, refer to "Out-of-Pocket Expenses in Giving Services" in Publication 526, Charitable Contributions.