The Community Gourmet

    Privacy Policy

    Last updated: October 4, 2026

    1. Introduction

    The Community Gourmet (“we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and share personal information when you visit thecommunitygourmet.org, contact us, make a donation, volunteer, or register for our programs and events.

    2. Information We Collect

    Information you provide: We may collect your name, email address, phone number, mailing address, and information you choose to provide when contacting us, volunteering, registering for a class or event, or requesting assistance. This may include messages submitted through our forms or website help widget.

    Donation information: We may receive donation records, such as your name, contact information, donation amount, date, and transaction reference, depending on the donation method and your privacy settings with the provider.

    Technical information: Our website and the services used to operate it may receive information such as your IP address, browser and device type, pages requested, and access times for website operation, troubleshooting, and security.

    Please avoid submitting payment-card details or sensitive personal information through general contact forms or the website help widget.

    3. How We Use Information

    We may use personal information to:

    • Respond to inquiries and requests for assistance.
    • Coordinate volunteer opportunities and communications.
    • Manage registrations for classes, events, and programs.
    • Process, acknowledge, and maintain records of donations.
    • Operate and protect our website and communication systems.
    • Maintain appropriate organizational records and meet applicable legal obligations.

    4. Donations and Payment Services

    Online donations are handled through third-party services, including PayPal and Venmo. Payment information entered through those services is processed under their own privacy policies. We do not collect or store full payment-card numbers or bank account details through our website’s online donation process.

    We may receive donor and transaction information needed to acknowledge donations and maintain our records.

    Our website also links to an Amazon wish list for donated items. Purchases through Amazon are handled under Amazon’s privacy policies.

    5. How We Share Information

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

    We may share information with service providers that help us host the website, process form submissions and registrations, manage communications, support the website help widget, process donations, and maintain organizational records, as needed for those services.

    Authorized staff and volunteers may access information needed to carry out their responsibilities.

    We may also disclose information when required by law or when reasonably necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of our organization or others.

    We do not share personal information with third parties for their own unrelated marketing purposes.

    6. Cookies and Website Technology

    Our website and embedded services may use cookies or similar technologies to support website functionality, forms, communications, and security. These services may also receive technical information when you interact with them.

    You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect some website features. External services linked from our website may use their own cookies and technologies under their respective privacy policies.

    7. Data Retention

    We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this policy, including responding to inquiries, coordinating programs and volunteers, maintaining donation and financial records, and meeting applicable legal requirements. Retention periods vary depending on the information and its purpose.

    8. Data Security

    We take reasonable measures to protect personal information against unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure.

    9. Your Choices and Requests

    You may contact us to request access to, correction of, or deletion of personal information you have provided. We will review and respond to requests as required by applicable law.

    We may need to verify your identity before completing a request. Some information may need to be retained for legal, accounting, or other permitted purposes.

    10. Third-Party Services and Links

    Our website includes links to or features provided by third parties, such as payment services, Amazon, and social media platforms. Their handling of information is governed by their own privacy policies. We encourage you to review those policies when using their services.

    11. Changes to This Policy

    We may update this Privacy Policy as our practices change. Updates will appear on this page with a revised “Last updated” date.

    12. Contact Us

    For privacy questions or requests, contact:

    The Community Gourmet

    6 Brown St, Suite 2

    Kennebunk, ME 04043

    Email: thecommunitygourmet@gmail.com

    Phone: 207-881-8788