Bemidji Community Food Shelf – Privacy Policy
Last Updated: 12/2/25
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Bemidji Community Food Shelf (“BCFS,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy of our clients, donors, volunteers, and website visitors. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and how we safeguard it.
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By using our website, you consent to the practices described in this policy.
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1. Information We Collect
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We may collect the following types of information:
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a. Information You Provide Directly
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Donation Information:
When you make a donation online, by mail, or in person, we may collect:
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Name
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Mailing address
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Email address
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Phone number
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Donation amount
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Payment details (processed securely through a third-party provider)
Contact Form Submissions:
When you submit a message through our “Contact Us” form, we may collect:
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Name
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Email address
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Phone number (if shared)
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Any information you include in your message
Volunteer or Event Inquiries:
If you inquire about volunteering or events, we may collect relevant contact details.
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b. Information Collected Automatically:
When you visit our website, certain data may be collected automatically through cookies or analytics tools, including:
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IP address
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Browser type
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Device type
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Pages visited
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Time spent on the site
This information helps us understand website usage and improve site performance.
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2. How We Use Your Information
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We use personal information for purposes such as:
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Responding to Your Inquiries:
To reply to messages submitted through our contact form or email.
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Processing Donations:
To process contributions and provide tax receipts or confirmations.
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Internal Record-Keeping & Improvement:
To improve our services, understand community needs, and maintain accurate records.
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Communications:
We may use your email address to:
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Respond to your inquiry
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Send donation receipts
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Provide important updates related to BCFS operations
If BCFS introduces newsletters or broader email communications in the future, you will have the option to opt in or out at any time.
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Legal & Compliance Requirements:
To comply with IRS regulations and other applicable laws.
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3. How We Do Not Use Your Information
BCFS will never:
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Sell your personal information
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Rent or trade your personal information
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Disclose donor names or information publicly without permission
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Share personal information with third parties for marketing purposes
We respect your confidentiality and your trust.
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4. Sharing Your Information
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We may share information only in limited circumstances:
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a. Third-Party Payment Processors
Online donations are processed through secure third-party systems (e.g., Stripe, PayPal, or similar providers). We do not store your full payment details on our servers.
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b. Service Providers
We may use third-party tools for website hosting, analytics, or email communication. These providers are required to protect your information.
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c. Legal Requirements
We may disclose information if required by law or to comply with regulatory obligations.
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5. Cookies & Tracking Technologies
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Our website may use cookies to improve your browsing experience and analyze website traffic.
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You may disable cookies through your browser settings. However, some features of the site may not function optimally if cookies are disabled.
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More detailed cookie information may be updated in this policy as needed.
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6. Data Security
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We take reasonable measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. While no website or electronic system is completely secure, we follow best practices to safeguard data.
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Payment information submitted through online donations is encrypted and handled securely by our third-party payment processor.
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7. Children’s Privacy
Our website is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
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8. External Links
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Our website may contain links to third-party websites. BCFS is not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or security of external sites.
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We encourage users to review the privacy policies of any websites they visit.
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9. Updating Your Information
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If you need to update or correct your contact information, please contact us directly at:
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Phone: 218-444-6580
Email: BCFS@paulbunyan.net
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10. Changes to This Privacy Policy
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We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Last Updated” date.
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Continued use of our website after changes indicates acceptance of the revised policy.
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11. Contact Us
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If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact:
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Bemidji Community Food Shelf
Phone: 218-444-6580
Website: www.bemidjifoodshelf.org
Email: BCFS@paulbunyan.net
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