Terms of use

Agreement to these terms

By accessing or using this website, you agree to these Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the website. If you use the website on behalf of an organization, you represent that you are authorized to accept these terms for that organization.

We may update these terms as the website and our services change. The effective date at the top identifies the current version. Continued use after an update means you accept the revised terms.

Who may use the website

This website and its forms are intended for adults who are at least 18 years old and able to enter into a binding agreement. FFT's mission serves children, but children should not submit personal information through this website. Parents, guardians, and other adults should contact FFT on a child's behalf when appropriate.

Website information

The website provides general information about FFT's mission, programs, events, volunteer opportunities, and ways to give. We work to keep information accurate and current, but programs, schedules, needs, eligibility information, and other content may change without notice.

Website content is not legal, tax, financial, medical, or other professional advice. It is also not an emergency or crisis service. Please use an appropriate professional or emergency resource when those services are needed.

Donations and payments

Online donations may be completed through links to services operated by Intuit or Venmo. Those providers, not FFT's website, collect and process payment credentials. Your use of a provider is governed by that provider's terms, privacy statement, and payment rules.

Review the QuickBooks Online Terms and the Venmo User Agreement.

You are responsible for providing accurate information and using a payment method you are authorized to use. If you believe a donation was made in error or without authorization, contact FFT through our contact page and notify the payment provider promptly. Requests will be reviewed individually in accordance with applicable law and provider rules.

Food For Thoughts Hancock County is recognized as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions may be tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. FFT does not provide tax advice or promise the deductibility of a particular gift. Donors are responsible for keeping appropriate records and consulting a qualified tax professional about their circumstances. FFT may decline or return a gift when reasonably necessary to comply with law, provider requirements, or the organization's mission and policies.

Messages and information you submit

Information you submit must be accurate, lawful, and yours to share. Please do not send sensitive personal information, confidential records, or identifying details about a child through the contact form. By submitting a message, you authorize FFT to use it as reasonably needed to respond to your request, operate the website, and protect FFT and others.

Our Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how it is used, and how long contact-form messages are normally retained.

Acceptable use

You agree not to use the website to:

• Break the law, violate another person's rights, or encourage harmful conduct.
• Impersonate another person or provide false, misleading, abusive, or threatening content.
• Upload malicious code, probe security, interfere with the website, or attempt unauthorized access.
• Collect information about others without authorization.
• Use automated tools to copy, scrape, or overload the website.
• Use FFT's name, logo, mascots, or content in a way that suggests an unauthorized endorsement.

Ownership and permitted use

Unless otherwise stated, the website's design, text, graphics, logos, mascots, photographs, videos, and other content are owned by or licensed to FFT and are protected by applicable intellectual property laws. You may view and share links to public pages for personal, noncommercial purposes. You may not copy, modify, publish, sell, or create derivative works from website content without permission from FFT or the applicable rights holder.

Third-party links and services

The website may link to payment providers, social networks, event services, community partners, or other websites that FFT does not control. A link does not necessarily mean FFT endorses every statement, product, or practice on that site. Third-party terms and policies apply when you use those services, and FFT is not responsible for their availability, security, or content.

Disclaimers and limits of responsibility

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the website is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. FFT does not guarantee that the website will always be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or free of harmful components, or that all information will always be complete and current.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, FFT and its directors, officers, volunteers, and service providers will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from use of or inability to use the website. These terms do not limit liability or rights that cannot lawfully be limited or excluded.

Access and enforcement

FFT may restrict or end access to the website, remove submitted content, or take other reasonable action if we believe these terms have been violated or action is needed to protect the website, FFT, or others. Provisions that by their nature should continue will remain in effect after access ends.

Illinois law and general terms

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to conflict-of-law principles, except where federal law or another applicable law controls. Any dispute that may lawfully be heard in court will be brought in an appropriate court in Illinois.

If any part of these terms is found unenforceable, the remaining parts will continue in effect. A delay in enforcing a term is not a waiver of the right to enforce it later. These terms and the Privacy Policy form the agreement between you and FFT concerning use of this website.