Community Research Intern

Position: Community Research Intern

Location: Remote or Hybrid at 59 InnerBelt Rd, Somerville, 02143

Timeframe: 10-12 week project with flexible hours and dates

Compensation: Stipend may be available

About Food For Free

Food For Free is a Somerville-based, non-profit organization dedicated to providing the Greater Boston community with reliable access to fresh and nutritious food. We accomplish our mission through food rescue, partnerships with schools, colleges, and traditional food organizations, as well as our own direct service programs.

Food For Free is a flexible, innovative organization. We have an open, informal culture and believe deeply in transparency and integrity. Collaboration is at the heart of all that we do and it comes from a deep respect for one another, our community and the people we serve. We believe work should be fun and when people are playing to their strengths, they are at their best.

Summary:

We are seeking a passionate and dedicated individual to join our team as a Community Research Intern. The role can be done entirely remote or hybrid at our offices in Somerville. This internship offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to our mission of addressing food insecurity in the Greater Boston area. The selected candidate will assist in conducting an environmental scan to assess the level of food insecurity and service coverage across communities where Food For Free currently operates.

Areas of Responsibility:

• Collaborate with a team to define the scope, objectives, and methodology of the project.
• Identify key organizations, stakeholders, and community partners involved in addressing food insecurity in target communities.
• Gather and analyze data on demographics, socioeconomic factors, food access, economic indicators, policy landscape, health, and nutrition status.
• Engage with community members through interviews, surveys, or community forums to gather insights and perspectives on food insecurity.
• Compile and analyze data collected from various sources to identify patterns, trends, and correlations related to food insecurity.
• Create a comprehensive report and present findings to Food For Free staff.

Qualifications:

• Research and Analytical Skills: Proficient in conducting qualitative and quantitative research, with the ability to collect, organize, and analyze data from diverse sources. Experience with excel, google sheets, microsoft office, etc.
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong interpersonal skills and cultural competence to engage with diverse community organizations, community members, and team members respectfully and collaboratively. 
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, including program staff and community partners.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to articulate ideas, share progress updates, and seek clarification when needed. 
• Knowledge of food insecurity services in the Greater Boston area.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and able to manage tasks and deadlines.
• Passion for social justice, food security, and community development.

What You’ll Gain from This Experience:

• Team Collaboration: You will work closely with a dynamic and collaborative team dedicated to fighting food insecurity in the Greater Boston community. By contributing your skills and ideas to a collaborative project, you will develop teamwork and collaboration skills essential for success in a professional setting.
• Impactful Work: You will play a vital role in addressing food insecurity and making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and families in the communities we serve. Your contributions will directly support Food For Free's mission of providing reliable access to fresh and nutritious food to those in need.
• Community Engagement: Through engagement with community members and partner organizations, you will deepen your understanding of the challenges and opportunities related to food insecurity in the Greater Boston area. You will have the opportunity to become an integral part of the community as you work towards creating positive change.
• Presentation Skills: You will have the opportunity to hone your presentation skills by preparing and delivering reports to the team. Through presenting your findings and recommendations, you will gain valuable experience in effectively communicating complex concepts and data-driven insights to diverse audiences.

This internship offers a unique opportunity to develop valuable skills, and make a meaningful impact in the fight against food insecurity while being immersed in a supportive and collaborative environment. Join us in our mission to create a more food-secure and resilient community for all!

HOW TO APPLY

Send a resume and an explanation of your interest in the position to Mackenzie Lennox at mackenzie@foodforfree.org 

Food For Free believes that society disproportionately hurts the most marginalized people in society — including people of color, people from working class backgrounds, women and LGBTQ people. We believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.