Privacy Policy

The Greater Chicago Food Depository has created this Privacy Policy to explain why we collect particular information and how we will protect your personal privacy within our website. This Privacy Policy discloses our information gathering and dissemination practices for the Web site located at the URL chicagosfoodbank.org (the “Site”).

In order to fully understand your rights, we encourage you to read this Privacy Policy as well as our Terms of Use. This Privacy Policy is incorporated by reference into and is subject to our Terms of Use. The Greater Chicago Food Depository reserves the right at any time and without notice to change this Privacy Policy simply by posting such changes on our Site. Any such change will be effective immediately upon posting.

Because we want to demonstrate our commitment to your privacy, this Privacy Policy notifies you of:
1. What personally identifiable information of yours is collected through the Site;
2. Who collects such information;
3. How such information is used;
4. With whom your information may be shared;
5. What choices you have regarding collection, use and distribution of your information;
6. What kind of security procedures are in place to protect against the loss, misuse or alteration of information under our control;
7. and, How you can correct any inaccuracies in your information.
Questions regarding this statement should be directed to the Greater Chicago Food Depository by sending an email to chicagosfoodbank@gcfd.org. Please reference this Privacy Policy in your subject line.

What Information We Collect and How We Use That Information:
Our registration forms require users to give us contact information that may include name, email address, format preference (HTML vs. Text), address, interests, and similar information.

The Food Depository takes the following measures to ensure that information collected on our website is kept secure and used as intended. All data is stored on secure, firewall-protected servers either at the Food Depository or those of our online security partners. Data is only accessible to authorized Food Depository staff. Sensitive data, such as credit card and other financial information, is collected on secure forms and transmitted using industry-standard Secure Socket Layer Encryption (SSL) technology. Credit card information is retained only as long as necessary to complete the donation or purchase request of the user or in the case of automatic recurring donations.

E-mail Communications:
The Food Depository provides forms on its website where users can sign-up to receive e-mail notices about volunteer opportunities, anti-hunger initiatives, fundraising campaigns and calls to action. The Food Depository limits communications by email to users who have opted in to receive e-mail communications or in the course of business for online transactions including confirmation of contributions. Each email sent contains an easy, automated opt-out method to cease further email communications.

Internet Protocol Address:
We collect an IP address from all visitors to our Site. An IP address is a number that is automatically assigned to your computer when you use the Internet. We use IP addresses to help diagnose problems with our server, administer our Site, analyze Site usage and trends, track users' movement, gather broad demographic information for aggregate use in order for us to improve the Site, respond to your inquiries, and deliver customized, personalized content. IP addresses are not linked to personally identifiable information.

Use of "Cookies":
Our Site may use cookies to enhance your experience while using our Site. Cookies are pieces of information that some Web sites transfer to the computer that is browsing that Web site and are used for record-keeping purposes at many Web sites. Use of cookies makes Web-surfing easier by performing certain functions such as saving your passwords, your personal preferences regarding your use of the particular Web site and to make sure you don't see the same ad repeatedly. Many consider the use of cookies to be an industry standard.

Your browser is probably set to accept cookies. However, if you would prefer not to receive cookies, you can alter the configuration of your browser to refuse cookies. If you choose to have your browser refuse cookies, it is possible that some areas of our Site will not function properly when you view them.  By accepting this Privacy Policy, you specifically agree to our use of cookies.

Tell-A-Friend:
If a user elects to use our referral service for informing a friend about our Site, we ask them for the friend's name and email address. The Greater Chicago Food Depository will automatically send the friend a one-time email inviting them to visit the Site. We store this information for the sole purpose of sending this one-time email.

Disclosure:
We may disclose personally identifiable information in response to legal process for example, in response to a court order or a subpoena.  We also may disclose such information in response to a law enforcement agency’s request or where we believe it necessary to investigate, prevent or take action regarding illegal activities, suspected fraud, situations involving potential threats to the physical safety of any person, violations of our Terms of Use, or as otherwise required by law.  Agents and contractors of the Greater Chicago Food Depository who have access to personally identifiable information are required to protect this information in a manner that is consistent with this Privacy Policy by, for example, not using the information for any purpose other than to carry out the services they are performing for the Greater Chicago Food Depository.  Although we take appropriate measures to safeguard against unauthorized disclosures of information, we cannot assure you that personally identifiable information that we collect will never be disclosed in a manner that is inconsistent with this Privacy Policy.

Correcting Information:
Upon request, we will provide you with access to the information we maintain about you, including contact information.  You  may correct and update this information by providing us with the correct information.

Other Web Sites:
Our Site contains links to other Web sites. Please note that when you click on one of these links, you are entering another Web site for which the Greater Chicago Food Depository has no responsibility. We encourage you to read the privacy statements on all such sites as their policies may be different than ours.  We have no control over information that is submitted to, or collected by, these third parties.

Contacting the Web Site:
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, the practices of this Site, or your dealings with this Site, you can contact:

Greater Chicago Food Depository
4100 West Ann Lurie Place
Chicago, IL 60632

You can also send an email to: chicagosfoodbank@gcfd.org.