Terms of Service

Agreement to Terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you and KindPlate ("we," "our," or "us"), a nonprofit organization based in Cleveland, Ohio. By accessing or using our website and services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use our services.

About KindPlate

KindPlate is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing food waste and addressing food insecurity by rescuing unsold food and redistributing it as nutritious meals to clients in need in the Cleveland, Ohio area.

Services Provided

KindPlate offers the following services:

• Food assistance programs for qualifying individuals
• Volunteer opportunities
• Partnership programs with food donors and community organizations
• Information and resources related to food security

Eligibility and Applications

Food Assistance

To apply for food assistance, you must:

• Provide accurate and complete information in your application
• Meet our eligibility criteria based on income, household size, and need
• Reside in our service area (Cleveland, Ohio and surrounding communities)
• Consent to verification of information provided

We reserve the right to deny, suspend, or terminate services at our discretion if eligibility requirements are not met or if false information is provided.

Volunteer Services

Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and comply with all volunteer policies and procedures. We reserve the right to refuse or terminate volunteer services at any time.

User Responsibilities

By using our services, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain the confidentiality of any account credentials
• Use our services only for lawful purposes
• Not misrepresent your identity or eligibility
• Not interfere with or disrupt our services or servers
• Respect the rights and dignity of staff, volunteers, and other service recipients
• Comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws

Food Safety and Liability

KindPlate follows all applicable food safety regulations and guidelines. However:

• We provide food "as is" and make no warranties regarding taste, quality, or nutritional content
• Recipients should inspect all food items before consumption
• Individuals with food allergies or dietary restrictions should review ingredients carefully
• We are not liable for any illness or adverse reaction resulting from food consumption
• All food items are provided within safe expiration dates and handled according to food safety standards

To the fullest extent permitted by law, KindPlate, its directors, officers, volunteers, and partners are protected under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act and applicable state laws from liability arising from the donation, distribution, or consumption of food.

Intellectual Property

All content on our website, including text, graphics, logos, images, and software, is the property of KindPlate or its licensors and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not use, reproduce, or distribute any content without our prior written permission.

Privacy and Data Protection

Your use of our services is also governed by our Privacy Policy. By using our services, you consent to the collection, use, and sharing of your information as described in our Privacy Policy. We are committed to protecting your personal information and maintaining confidentiality in accordance with applicable laws.

Donations and Financial Contributions

All financial donations to KindPlate are voluntary and non-refundable. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, donations may be tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. We will provide receipts for tax purposes upon request.

Volunteer Agreement

Volunteers agree to:

• Follow all safety protocols and organizational policies
• Maintain confidentiality of client information
• Represent KindPlate in a professional and respectful manner
• Report any safety concerns or incidents immediately

Volunteer services are provided at-will and may be terminated by either party at any time. KindPlate carries liability insurance covering volunteer activities conducted within the scope of organizational duties.

Disclaimer of Warranties

Our services are provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. We do not guarantee that our services will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free. We disclaim all warranties, including but not limited to merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, KindPlate, its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, and partners shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from or related to your use of our services, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless KindPlate and its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, and partners from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses arising from your violation of these Terms or your use of our services.

Modifications to Services and Terms

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of our services at any time without notice. We may also revise these Terms at any time by updating this page. Your continued use of our services after any changes indicates your acceptance of the modified Terms.

Termination

We reserve the right to terminate or suspend your access to our services immediately, without prior notice, for any reason, including but not limited to breach of these Terms, fraudulent activity, or behavior that we deem harmful to our organization or other users.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any legal action or proceeding arising under these Terms shall be brought exclusively in the courts located in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and KindPlate regarding your use of our services and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.