The Centre Wellington Food Bank is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information in accordance with applicable Canadian privacy laws, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

This policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard personal information collected through our website.

1. What Information We Collect

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide, including:

• Name

• Email address

• Phone number

• Mailing address

• Donation details (when applicable)

We may also collect limited non-personal information automatically, such as:

• IP address

• Browser type

• Pages visited on our website

2. How We Collect Information

We collect information when you:

• Contact us through forms or email

• Make a donation through our website

• Sign up for newsletters or updates

3. Use of Third-Party Services

Donations

Online donations are processed securely through CanadaHelps. When you make a donation, your personal and payment information is collected and processed by CanadaHelps in accordance with their privacy policies. We receive donor information necessary for receipting, communication, and donor stewardship.

Email Communications

We use Mailchimp to manage our email communications. If you subscribe to our mailing list, your information will be stored and processed by Mailchimp in accordance with their privacy practices.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use personal information to:

• Respond to inquiries

• Process and acknowledge donations

• Issue tax receipts (where applicable)

• Communicate updates, events, and campaigns

• Improve our website and services

• Maintain donor and supporter records

We will only use personal information for the purposes for which it was collected, unless otherwise required or permitted by law.

5. Consent

By providing your personal information, you consent to its collection, use, and disclosure as described in this policy.

You may withdraw your consent at any time, subject to legal or contractual restrictions, by contacting us.

6. Email Communications and Unsubscribe

If you choose to receive emails from us, you may unsubscribe at any time by:

• Clicking the “unsubscribe” link included in our emails, or

• Contacting us directly

We will promptly remove you from our mailing list upon request.

7. Disclosure of Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information.

We may disclose personal information only:

• To trusted third-party service providers (such as donation and email platforms)

• When required by law

All third-party providers are expected to protect your information and use it only for the purposes for which it is shared.

8. Safeguards

We take reasonable administrative, technical, and physical measures to protect personal information against loss, theft, unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse.

9. Retention of Information

We retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, or as required by law (for example, for tax receipting and regulatory obligations).

10. Access and Correction

You have the right to request access to your personal information and to request corrections if it is inaccurate or incomplete.

To make a request, please contact us using the information below.

11. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to other websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those external sites.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.

13. Cookies and Analytics

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to enhance user experience and better understand how visitors interact with our site.

Cookies are small data files stored on your device that help improve website functionality, remember preferences, and provide basic analytics.

We may use website analytics tools (such as Google Analytics or similar services) to collect aggregated, non-identifiable information about website usage, such as pages visited, time spent on the site, and general geographic location.

This information helps us improve our website and better serve our community.

You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings. Please note that some features of the website may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

By continuing to use our website, you consent to the potential use of cookies and analytics tools as described in this section.

14. Contact Us

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

Centre Wellington Food Bank

12-105 Queen Street W.

Fergus, ON, N1M 1S6

☏ 519 787-1401

✉ info@cwfoodbank.org

By accessing this website, you agree to the following terms:

Use of Website

This website is provided for general information about the Centre Wellington Food Bank. You agree to use it only for lawful purposes.

Content

All content on this site is provided for informational purposes only and may be updated or changed without notice.

Intellectual Property

All text, logos, and content are the property of the Centre Wellington Food Bank unless otherwise stated. You may not reproduce or distribute content without permission.

Donations

All donations made through the website are voluntary and non-refundable unless otherwise stated.

Limitation of Liability

We are not responsible for any damages arising from the use of this website or reliance on its content.

External Links

We are not responsible for the content or practices of third-party websites linked from our site.

Changes to Terms

We may update these terms at any time. Continued use of the website means you accept the updated terms.

Contact

For questions, please contact:

info@cwfoodbank.org

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only.

While we strive to keep information accurate and up to date, the Centre Wellington Food Bank makes no guarantees regarding the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of any content.

The website does not provide legal, financial, or professional advice.

Use of this website and reliance on any information is at your own risk.

We are not responsible for any losses or damages resulting from use of this site or linked external websites.

The Centre Wellington Food Bank is committed to providing a website that is accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities.

We strive to meet accessibility standards and improve usability for all visitors. If you experience any difficulty accessing content on our website, please contact us and we will work to provide the information in an accessible format.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all food and food-related supports provided by the Centre Wellington Food Bank (CWFB) are delivered in a manner that upholds dignity, respect, equity, and accessibility. This includes ensuring no-cost access to food, providing meaningful choice, maintaining high food quality standards, and offering sufficient quantities to meet client needs.

SCOPE

This policy applies to all CWFB operations, including:

Staff and volunteers

Board members

Partner organizations

All food programs and services

No-Cost Food Access

CWFB is committed to ensuring that all core food-support services are provided free of charge and without conditions.

Policy Statement

Food and food-related supports are provided at no financial cost to clients. Access to food is not conditional upon:

• Donations

• Volunteer participation

• Religious or faith-based involvement

• Participation in programs or services beyond eligibility requirements

Implementation & Oversight

To maintain this commitment, CWFB will:

• Clearly communicate to clients and the public that food access is free and unconditional

• Train staff and volunteers on dignity-based service and non-conditional access

• Monitor service delivery practices to ensure compliance

• Address any barriers or concerns raised by clients promptly

• Review policies annually to ensure continued alignment with best practices

Food Choice

CWFB recognizes that individuals and families have diverse needs and preferences.

Approach to Food Choice

A choice-based shopping model allows clients to select foods that meet their needs. Efforts are made to provide:

• Fresh and non-perishable items

• Culturally relevant foods

• Options for dietary needs (e.g., vegetarian, halal, gluten-free, etc.)

• Client feedback is gathered informally and formally to guide improvements

Continuous Improvement

CWFB evaluates food offerings annually through:

• Client feedback

• Inventory analysis

• Community partnerships

• Adjustments are made to improve variety, relevance, and nutritional value

Food Quality

CWFB is committed to providing food that is safe, nutritious, and aligned with Food Banks Canada best-before-date guidelines.

Quality Assurance Process

Food is inspected upon receipt and prior to distribution.

Staff and volunteers are trained on:

• Food safety standards

• Best-before vs. expiry date distinctions

• Unsafe, spoiled, or contaminated food is not distributed

• Perishable items are stored and handled according to food safety requirements

• Nutritious food options are prioritized, including fresh produce, proteins, and whole foods

Food Quantity

CWFB strives to provide as much food (~7 days) as feasible to support households at their monthly shop.

Distribution Practices

Food is distributed based on:

• Household size

• Individual needs

• Clients receive food on a monthly basis at minimum, unless otherwise specified

• Distribution is: Equitable, Transparent and Consistent

• Steps to Maximize Quantity

• Maintaining strong partnerships with donors, retailers, and community organizations

• Operating food recovery programs to increase supply

• Collaborating with community partners to extend access beyond CWFB

• Continuously assessing inventory and demand to improve distribution

Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

CWFB is committed to ongoing evaluation and improvement of its services by:

• Collecting feedback from clients, volunteers, and partners

• Reviewing policies and procedures annually

• Monitoring service delivery for dignity, fairness, and accessibility

• Identifying and addressing barriers to food access

Conclusion

The Centre Wellington Food Bank is committed to ensuring that all individuals and families can access food in a way that preserves dignity, respects choice, and supports well-being. Through continuous improvement and community collaboration, CWFB strives to provide equitable, high-quality, and accessible food support to all who need it.