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Privacy Policy

Meals on Wheels America’s Commitment to Privacy

Meals on Wheels America is committed to maintaining your confidence and trust as related to the protection of your personal information. Our commitment applies to all people who communicate with us through any and all of our communication channels, including this Website and online or offline communications. We respect the privacy of those who interact with Meals on Wheels America, and will seek to protect the integrity and confidentiality of personal information gathered from our donors, members, Website visitors, other supporters and anyone else who contacts us. We understand our ethical responsibilities and the important role we play as custodians of your personal information.

By visiting our Website and/or contacting us, both online and offline, through any medium or on any platform, you are agreeing to the terms of this Meals on Wheels America Privacy Policy.

Donation Guidelines

Separate from this Privacy Policy, Meals on Wheels America maintains separate Donation Guidelines. The Meals on Wheels America Privacy Policy relates and applies directly to our donors, whether a contribution is made electronically through our Website, is received through the mail or is processed in some other way.  We do not sell, trade, or share our donors’ names or personal information with any third party other than our staff and service providers. If you have made, or are interested in making, a donation to Meals on Wheels America, learn more about our Donation Guidelines.

Meals on Wheels America Privacy Policy

Effective as of March 1, 2023

The Meals on Wheels America Privacy Policy (“Policy”) applies to all personal information received by Meals on Wheels America, both online and offline, on any medium or platform (hereinafter, “Platform(s)” refers to all sources of personal information through any media, including the Meals on Wheels America Website and appurtenances incorporated on our Website (such as the Meals on Wheels America Store), as well as relevant electronic, written, or oral communications made to us through telephones, facsimile, postal mail or other delivery systems, personal delivery, or other offline means).

Introduction

Meals on Wheels America (which may be referred to as “us” or “we”) wants all users of its Website or other Platforms (“Users” may also be referred to as “you” or “your”) to be familiar with how we collect, use and disclose information related to you, your computer, or other device and that enables your identification (“Personal Information”). This Privacy Policy applies to, and describes our practices with, Personal Information that we (or our service providers) collect from you through or from our Platforms.

We at Meals on Wheels America are committed to adhering to the legal rights bestowed upon Users as may be applicable to the use of our Platforms. These include the rights to access information about Users’ personal data that we process and to have their personal data deleted or corrected as needed, among other rights.

This Privacy Policy is organized as follows and seeks to provide you with a clear explanation of each of the following items:

What Information is Collected and How is Such Information Collected and Used?

  • Information You Provide to Us
  • How We Otherwise Collect Information
  • How We Use Information We Collect
  • With Whom is Collected Information Shared?
  • How is Your Information Secured?
  • How to Access Your Personal Information and Control Its Use?
  • How May Privacy Policy Changes Be Made?

We will collect data only as is permitted through legal means, offer consumers the clear option to choose if their data will be collected and used, and tell you up front why and how we collect, store, and use data. Meals on Wheels America can be contacted by email at development@mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

1. Information We Collect and How Such Information is Collected and Used 

As discussed below, we do not collect any Personally Identifiable Information (“PII” or “Personal Information”) from you unless you voluntarily provide it to us. When you visit our Website or interact with us through one of our Platforms, we may collect information from you as described below.

Information You Provide to Us

Various applications of our Platforms may ask you to submit Personally Identifiable Information in order for you to benefit from the services or features offered on the Platform, to obtain products, or to participate in certain activities, such as in processing your donation, requesting information or subscribing for future communications from us (collectively, “Services”). We may combine information you submit through various platforms with other information we have collected from you, whether online or offline. All collected information, including the combined information, will be handled in accordance with this Privacy Policy. Separately, as explained below, our Website collects non-personally identifiable information on our Website visitors, which is done automatically to compile statistics for our Website, such as the number of visitors to the Website and which pages were viewed. In addition, when you perform a search on our Website, Meals on Wheels America may be able to access and record information identifying you or linking you to the search performed and recording information related to the search request.

How information is provided to us through various operations is explained in more detail below.

  • Donations: If you make a donation to Meals on Wheels America using the Website, we will collect your name, address and credit or debit card or other financial account information in order to process the contribution. We will also ask your permission to contact you in the future; without your permission, we will not contact you. We may also include your name, city and state, and donation range (not a specific amount) on our Website and in various reports that may be made public. Certain states and the Federal government also require us to report the names and addresses of donors, as well as the amounts of their donation(s) on an annual basis; such reports are reviewed by state officials but are not made public. Other than for legally required disclosures, you can change your preferences at any time.
  • Purchases: If you will be purchasing items from our Website, certain information will be required from you to complete the transaction. Transactions may be processed directly through Meals on Wheels America or through third-party vendors or credit card processors. Information required may include your contact information (name and address) and your financial information (for example, credit card number and expiration date). This information is used for billing purposes and to fill your orders and for other purposes with your permission. This information will also be used to contact you if we have trouble processing your order. Privacy policies for our third-party vendors providing goods and services will be available on the applicable webpage and apply to the transactions contemplated; the application of the Meals on Wheels America privacy policies end when you enter sites of our vendors. Please consult the privacy policies of any third-party vendor to determine how they will access your information.
  • Surveys: Meals on Wheels America will periodically request information via surveys on or through our Platforms. Participation in these surveys is completely voluntary; you may choose whether or not to participate and therefore disclose the requested information. Information requested may include contact information (such as name and mailing address), and demographic information (such as zip code, age). Contact information may be used to contact you and may be used for such other purposes as you permit. Survey information will be used for purposes of monitoring or improving the use and performance of the Platform. Meals on Wheels America will not share your personal information collected through such surveys with any organizations without your consent except as may be described herein or as may be compelled by law.
  • Sensitive Personal Data and Information: Unless specifically requested or invited, please do not send or otherwise disclose to us sensitive information, including but not limited to your racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religion or other beliefs, health, criminal background, or trade union membership. In those limited and very unlikely circumstances where we may request or invite you to provide any of the foregoing information, we will only do so with your express consent or your ability to “opt-in” to approve our collection and processing of such data, in accordance with applicable data protection law requirements. Where you provide us with such information without request from Meals on Wheels America, we reserve the right (but do not have any obligation) to erase any such information at our discretion.
  • Information About Minors: Our Website and other Platforms are not intended for use by persons under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect Personal Information online from persons in this age group. If you are a User under the age of 16, please do not send any Personal Information to us if we have not obtained prior consent from your parent or guardian. If we learn we have collected Personal Information from a User under the age of 16 without parental consent, or if we learn a User under the age of 16 has provided us Personal Information beyond what we request from him or her, we will delete that information as quickly as possible.

How We Otherwise Collect Information

  • Location Information: Any comment system on our Website may utilize an opt-in Geolocation service in accordance with a prevailing community standard such as HTML 5. Such Geolocation opt-in ability is managed by the user’s browser settings. If a user chooses to opt-in to the Geolocation service, the user’s comments may be associated with the user’s location, both internally within Meals on Wheels America and publicly on the Website.
  • Cookies and other Passive Information Collection, Use, and Choices: Like most Websites, we use automatic data collection technology when you visit our Website to passively gather non-personally identifiable information but that identifies your computer to track your use of our Website and to collect certain basic information about you and your usage habits. This information includes information about your operating system, your IP addresses, browser type and language, referring and exit pages and URLs, keywords, date and time, amount of time spent on particular pages, what sections of a Website you visit, and similar information concerning your use of the Website and the Services (the “Usage Information”).

Collection of Usage Information may be done using various techniques in the following ways:

  • IP addresses: An IP address is a unique identifier that certain electronic devices use to identify and communicate with each other on the Internet. When you visit our Website, we may view the IP address of the device you use to connect to the Internet. We may use this information to determine the general physical location of the device and understand from what geographic regions our Website visitors come. We also may use this information to improve the functionalities and features of our Website.
  • Cookies: Like many organizations, our Website uses cookies to help make sure the Website is meeting the needs of its users and to help us make improvements. Depending on how you use our Website, we may store cookies on your computer in order to collect certain aggregate data about our users and to customize certain aspects of your specific user experience. Cookies may also include more personalized information, such as your IP address, browser type, the server your computer is logged onto, the area code and zip code associated with your server, and your first name to welcome you back to our Website. We may use cookies to perform tasks such as: monitoring aggregate Website usage metrics, storing and remembering your passwords (if you allow us to do so), storing account and advertising preferences that you have set, and personalizing the Services we make available to you. Cookies can tell us whether you have visited us before. However, we do not use cookies to track your browsing behaviors. We may also use clear gifs. These are tiny graphics with a unique identifier, similar in function to cookies, and are used to track the online movements of Website users. We use third-party cookies set by our service provider, Google Analytics, to collect information about how visitors use the Website, including how long you spend on each page, and how you got to the Website. We do not use data collected by cookies to identify who you are and we do not allow Google to use or share our analytics data.You can reject cookies by following the directions provided in your Internet provider’s “help” file. If you reject cookies, you may still visit our Website, but may not be able to use some areas of the Website and/or the Services offered there. You can set your browser to notify you before you receive a cookie, giving you the chance to decide whether to accept it. You can also set your browser to turn off cookies.Changing your internet browser settings can prevent the use of cookies. Each browser has a different procedure for disabling the use of cookies. The Help function within your browser should tell you how. Alternatively, you may visit http://www.aboutcookies.org where you can review information on how to control cookies on a variety of browsers. You will also find details of how to delete cookies from your computer and other general information about cookies. You can visit https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout for information on how to opt out of Google Analytics cookies.
    • Through your browser: Certain information is collected by most browsers, such as your Media Access Control (MAC) address, computer type and operating system type and version screen resolution, and internet browser type and version.
    • Social media widgets: Our Website may include social media tools, including social media widgets or plug-ins, to connect you to your social media accounts. These features may set a cookie or use other automatic collection and tracking technology to collect information about you and your use of the social media features through and in connection with our Website. These social media tools may be hosted by a third party. Your interactions with these tools and the corresponding social media platforms are governed by the privacy policies of the companies that provide such platforms.
    • Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics, which is provided by Google LLC. Google Analytics leverages cookies and other technologies that are stored in a website visitor’s browser, application or device to do things such as allow visitors to access features that are fundamental to a service, to help websites generally and apps understand how their visitors engage with their service, to enhance a return visitor’s experience by providing personalized content and features, etc. For example, Google Analytics’ cookies collect information about the operating system and the browser that you use, your IP address, the Website you previously accessed (referrer URL) and the date and time of your visit to the Website. On subsequent repeated visits to the Website, frequently used information is automatically displayed for you. We are able to track your usage patterns with the help of the cookies. The information generated by cookies and other technologies about the use of the Websites is transmitted to a Google server. Visit https://policies.google.com/technologies/cookies?hl=en-US to learn more about Google Analytics’ use of cookies.

Our Website currently does not respond to “Do Not Track” (DNT) signals and operates as described in this Privacy Policy whether or not a DNT signal is received, as there is no consistent industry standard for compliance.

How We Use the Information We Collect 

Personal Information: We use Personal Information submitted by you or otherwise collected through the Platforms and through other sources for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy and as otherwise described to you at the point of collection. We use the information you provide to us for the reason for which it was provided. For example, if you provide us with information to make a donation, we will use the information to process your donation. At all times, our lawful bases for processing your Personal Information are in support of our legitimate interests, where those interests are not overridden by your fundamental rights and freedoms. We will also seek to reasonably minimize the amount of data processed as necessary for accomplishment of the purposes for which the information was first disclosed.  Specifically, we may use Personal Information from or about you for the following purposes and others related to such purposes:

  • to respond to your inquiries and to send you information that you request and to process your donations;
  • to send you important information regarding our relationship with you, such as to let you know what we are doing with your donations and to solicit additional donations, or regarding the Website, changes to our terms, conditions, and policies, and other administrative information;
  • to notify you about upcoming events and opportunities to further engage with Meals on Wheels America, including participating in future fundraising and advocacy efforts;
  • to promote our mission and initiatives, and the missions and initiatives of our Members;
  • for our business purposes, such as data analysis, audits, recordkeeping, developing new products or Services, enhancing the Website, providing a safe user experience on our Website, improving our Services, identifying Website usage trends, optimizing your experience on the Website, determining the effectiveness of our fundraising campaigns, and managing legal issues;
  • if you choose to complete a survey, we may use the information for purposes of evaluating your feedback from the survey; and,
  • if we intend to collect and use Personal Information for another purpose, such as publicly recognizing our donors in an Honor Roll of Donors, we may seek your permission at the time the information is collected if the Donor has not previously opted out.

Non-Personally Identifiable Information. We may use any information that does not personally identify you, your computer, or your device for any purpose.

Data Retention. We generally retain Personal Information for so long as it may be relevant for the purposes identified in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer period of time is required by law.

With Whom is Collected Information Shared?

Generally.  Meals on Wheels America does not sell your Personal Information. We may share your Personal Information with third parties only as described in this Privacy Policy or as otherwise described at the point where we collect the information from you, including:

  • Member Organizations, specifically local Meals on Wheels organizations who are Members of Meals on Wheels America, for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy including when a donation needs to be allocated to a member program based on donor intent.
  • Contracted Service Organizations, specifically to the companies or individuals that we hire to provide services to us, such as Website hosting services, relationship management services, communication and fundraising services, and payment processing. In such circumstances, we will seek to ensure that our contracts with such service providers include specific requirements such as limiting their processing of personal data to identified purposes, not sharing any PII, and maintaining appropriate security measures comparable to ours.
  • Uses and Disclosures to Comply with Laws, which may include disclosures of Personal Information collected through our Platforms as we believe to be necessary or appropriate: (A) under applicable law, including laws outside your country of residence; (B) to comply with legal process; (C) to respond to requests from public and government authorities, including public and government authorities outside your country of residence; (D) to enforce our terms and conditions; (E) to protect our operations or those of any of our affiliates; (F) to protect our rights, privacy, safety, or property, and/or that of our affiliates, you, or others; (G) to allow us to pursue available remedies or limit the damages that we may sustain; or (H) as may be required as a result of a reorganization, merger, sale, bankruptcy, assignment or transfer, or similar proceeding.

Links to Third-Party Sites. This Website contains links to other sites which are provided for the convenience of our Users. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our Users to be aware when they leave our Website and to read the privacy statements of any other site that collects personally identifiable information. If you access a third-party Website from a link on this Website, any information you disclose on that site is not subject to our Privacy Policy. It is possible that these links may be used by third parties or others to collect personal or other information about you. Meals on Wheels America is not responsible for the privacy practices of such Websites, advertisers, or third parties or the content of such Websites and it is your sole obligation to review and understand the privacy practices and policies of these other Websites.

2. How Is Your Information Secured?

At Meals on Wheels America, you can be assured that your Personally Identifiable Information is secure, consistent with current industry standards. We strive to take appropriate security measures to prevent unauthorized access to, or unauthorized alteration, destruction or disclosure of, your PII. We use a variety of security measures to protect your data, including physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards. Our systems follow the applicable requirements of Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance Requirement 3 (Protect Stored Cardholder Data) and Requirement 6 (Develop and Maintain Secure Systems and Applications). Within the system, cardholder primary account number (PAN) is encrypted when saved with strong cryptography and masked when displayed to the internal user. Cardholder data is transmitted encrypted through Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.2).  We do not store CVV numbers. Our hosted systems are protected by network and web application firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and anti-virus software. Our systems are monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and housed in a restricted access facility. We also incorporate industry-standard security controls (like firewalls) and protocols (like SSL/TLS) to create a Website that is resistant to standard internet-based threats. Our systems of controls are regularly assessed and audited.

Meals Wheels America is based in the United States. No matter where you are located, your Personal Information will be collected and processed in the United States. The laws of the United States and other countries governing data on protection may not be as comprehensive or as protective as the laws in the country where you live.

No Website or electronic data can ever be completely secure, but we are always working to maintain up-to-date and appropriate security mechanisms. You agree that Meals on Wheels America shall not be liable to you for any modification, suspension, or discontinuance of the Website. Users should also be aware that certain elements of our Website are operated by third-party vendors who have their own linked privacy policies. Once you begin to interact with such sites, the privacy policies and other terms of such vendors apply, and it is your sole obligation to review and understand the privacy practices and policies of these other Websites.

3. How to Access Your Personal Information and Control its Use?

As explained below under Data Rights and throughout this Policy, you have rights to access your information, know how it is being used, correct or delete any information we maintain, and express any concerns about our policies or the use of your data.

  • Contact Information. In order to obtain this information, please reach us through development@mealsonwheelsamerica.orgor via the contact information below. Where possible, please use a Data Subject Access Request (“DSAR”) form for any questions about the privacy or our use of your Personal Information.If you have specific questions about our Website, please contact webmaster@mealsonwheelsamerica.org.
  • To contact us by mail or phone, please use the following:
    Meals on Wheels America
    Attn:  General Counsel
    1550 Crystal Drive, Suite 1004
    Arlington, VA 22202
    Telephone:  888-998-6325; 703-548-5558.Always include your name and contact information when you reach out to Meals on Wheels America. Please note that it may take up to 90 days to stop receiving communications by regular mail after you have requested that your data be removed from our lists.
  • Cookies: You can opt-out of the use of certain cookie-related processing by following the instructions in Section 1(b)ii above (Cookies and other Passive Information Collection, Use, and Choices).
  • Data rights: If you would like to submit a data access, correction, restriction, or deletion request, you may do so by contacting us at development@mealsonwheelsamerica.org or via the contact information above. Please use a DSAR form. We will process such requests with respect to any Personal Information that we are able to link to you individually based on the information that you can provide to us. This would include, for examples:
  • See what data we have about you, if any.
  • Change/correct any data we have about you.
  • Have us delete any data we have about you.
  • Unsubscribe from our communications.
  • Request that we do not solicit you for donations.
  • Express any concern you have about our use of your data.

These rights and options that you have with respect to Personal Information are subject to limitations and exceptions under applicable law.

  • European Union: If you are within the European Union, you have the following rights:
  • You have the right to request from Meals on Wheels America access to your Personal Information, and the rectification of inaccurate Personal Information concerning you.
  • You have the right to request that Meals on Wheels America not subject your Personal Information to automated processing.
  • You have the right to obtain from Meals on Wheels America the erasure or the restriction of processing of your Personal Information in certain circumstances, including when the data are no longer necessary in relation to the purposes for which they were collected or otherwise processed, except when Meals on Wheels America is required by law to maintain or otherwise process your Personal Information, for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims, or for the protection of the rights of another person.

You may exercise these rights by contacting Meals on Wheels America using the contact information provided above.

If you are within the European Union, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the EU Member State of your habitual residence, place of work, or place of an alleged infringement of the applicable data protection law. However, we encourage you to contact us first at development@mealsonwheelsamerica.org and we will try to resolve your concerns.

4. How May Privacy Policy Changes be Made?   

The Meals on Wheels America Privacy Policy is subject to change without notice. We reserve the right to modify, alter, or update this Policy at any time. Your use of our Platforms, including this Website, following any changes means that you agree to follow and will be bound by the Privacy Policy as changed and as is in effect at the time you access our Platforms, subject to limitations under applicable law. Any change to this Privacy Policy shall be effective for all Users, including those who have visited the Website before the change was made. Please review this policy periodically, and especially before you provide any Personal Information to us. The Privacy Policy was last updated and is effective as of the date indicated above.

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