Volunteer researchers are needed to conduct surveys with Toronto food bank clients about their experiences with food insecurity. The results of this survey inform the annual Who’s Hungry report, which is used to advocate for solutions to end hunger and poverty in our city.
We are looking for volunteers to conduct surveys at around 100 food banks across Toronto between March 15 to April 23, 2026. In this role, volunteers can expect to learn best practices in research, receive training on conducting the survey, learn about food insecurity, build professional connections, and gain experience in the field.
Responsibilities:
- Share information about the survey with food bank clients, assist those interested in using QR codes or paper copies, and offer one‑on‑one support with survey completion (on a range of issues) as needed.
- Commit to at least three shifts (3–4 hours each) at assigned food bank locations. Most shifts take place Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., but there may be some evening and weekend shifts available.
- Review and become familiar with the 2026 survey questionnaire
Requirements:
- At least 18 years of age.
- Fluency in English.
- Attend mandatory 1-hour virtual training session in early March.
- Able to collect data at food banks located in Central Toronto, Etobicoke, or Scarborough.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to start conversations, engage empathetically, use a strengths‑based approach, and avoid assumptions or judgments.
- Awareness of barriers food bank clients may face, and ability to handle all information with dignity, sensitivity, and confidentiality.
Helpful skills and additional assets (i.e. “nice-to-haves”):
- Fluency in at least one additional language (e.g. Arabic, Bengali, French, Hindi, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, Tamil, and/or Ukrainian).
- Previous experience in community-based research and/or front-line service delivery.
Get started by clicking here to register for a training session.
If you have any questions, please email [email protected]
