Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

Information You Provide to Us

We collect information you voluntarily provide when you:

• Apply for food assistance or other services
• Sign up to volunteer
• Make a donation
• Subscribe to our newsletter or updates
• Contact us via email, phone, or forms
• Participate in surveys or feedback requests

This may include your name, email address, phone number, mailing address, household size, dietary restrictions, payment information, and any other details you choose to share.

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain technical information, such as your IP address, browser type, device type, pages visited, time spent on pages, and referring URLs. This is collected through cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide food assistance, meals, and other services
• Process donations and send receipts
• Coordinate volunteer activities and schedules
• Communicate with you about programs, updates, and opportunities
• Improve our website, programs, and services
• Comply with legal obligations and maintain records
• Protect against fraud and ensure security
• Analyze usage patterns and measure program impact

3. Legal Bases for Processing

We process your personal information based on:

• Consent: When you voluntarily provide information or opt in to communications
• Legitimate interests: To operate our nonprofit mission, improve services, and ensure safety
• Legal obligations: To comply with tax, accounting, and nonprofit regulations
• Contractual necessity: To fulfill services you've requested (e.g., processing donations)

4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share information with:

• Service providers: Payment processors (Stripe), email platforms, analytics tools, and form management services that help us operate
• Partner organizations: When necessary to coordinate food distribution or services (with your consent or as required for program delivery)
• Legal authorities: If required by law, court order, or to protect rights and safety
• Volunteers and staff: Only the minimum information needed to fulfill their responsibilities

All third parties are required to protect your information and use it only for specified purposes.

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, comply with legal obligations (such as tax records), resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Specific retention periods vary by data type:

• Donation records: At least 7 years for tax compliance
• Client assistance records: Duration of service plus reasonable period for follow-up
• Volunteer records: Duration of service plus 3 years
• Website analytics: Typically 24-36 months

6. Security Measures

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration. This includes secure data storage, encrypted payment processing, access controls, and regular security reviews.

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Children's Privacy

Our website and services are not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without parental consent. If we learn we have collected such information, we will delete it promptly.

When minors participate in our programs (such as youth workshops), we collect information through a parent or guardian.

8. Your Rights and Choices

You have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: Ask us to update or correct inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your information (subject to legal retention requirements)
• Opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time using the link in our messages
• Restrict processing: Ask us to limit how we use your information in certain circumstances
• Data portability: Request your information in a structured, commonly used format

To exercise these rights, contact us at seedandspoonnj@gmail.com. We will respond within 30 days.

9. Third-Party Services

Payment Processing (Stripe)

We use Stripe to process donations. When you make a payment, your payment information is transmitted directly to Stripe and is subject to Stripe's Privacy Policy. We do not store full credit card numbers on our servers.

Email Communications

We may use email service providers to send newsletters, updates, and receipts. These providers are bound by confidentiality agreements and only process data on our behalf.

Analytics Tools

We may use analytics services to understand how visitors use our website. These tools may use cookies and collect anonymized or aggregated data. You can opt out of analytics tracking through your browser settings or third-party opt-out tools.

Form and Survey Tools

We may use third-party form and survey platforms to collect feedback, applications, and registrations. Information submitted through these forms is subject to both our policy and the provider's privacy practices.

10. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or services. The "Last updated" date at the top indicates when the policy was last revised. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

If we make material changes, we will provide notice through our website or email when appropriate.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact us:

Seed & Spoon NJ
Email: seedandspoonnj@gmail.com

We take privacy seriously and will respond to your inquiry as promptly as possible.