Terms and Conditions

Effective Date: August 15, 2026

Welcome to the website of the Self-Help Closet & Pantry of Des Plaines (“Self-Help,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your use of selfhelppantry.org (the “Website”).

By accessing or using the Website, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree with these Terms, please do not use the Website.

1. Use of the Website

The Website is provided to share information about Self-Help’s programs, services, events, volunteer opportunities, donations, fundraisers, and other activities.

You agree to use the Website only for lawful purposes and in a manner that does not:

• Violate any applicable federal, state, or local law or regulation

• Infringe upon the rights of Self-Help or another person or organization

• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Website or its systems

• Interfere with the operation or security of the Website

• Submit false, misleading, fraudulent, or unlawful information

• Introduce malicious software, code, or other harmful material

We reserve the right to restrict or terminate access to the Website if we reasonably believe these Terms have been violated.

2. Information on the Website

We make reasonable efforts to provide accurate and current information on the Website. However, information about programs, services, events, hours, availability, fundraising activities, and other activities may change without notice.

Website information is provided for general informational purposes and does not guarantee that a particular program, service, event, item, or resource will be available at a particular time.

Self-Help reserves the right to cancel, postpone, modify, or reschedule events, programs, and activities, including because of weather, emergencies, facility issues, staffing, or other circumstances.

3. Events and Fundraisers

Information about virtual and in-person fundraisers, community events, pantry activities, and other events may be posted on the Website.

Event dates, times, locations, participation requirements, and other details are subject to change. Users are encouraged to check the Website and other official Self-Help communications for the most current information.

Self-Help may provide notice of event changes or cancellations through email, SMS/text messaging, social media, or other communication methods where appropriate.

4. Donations and Payments

The Website may allow users to make donations or complete other transactions through third-party payment services.

By making a donation or payment, you agree to provide accurate and complete information and authorize the applicable payment provider to process the transaction according to its terms.

Unless otherwise stated at the time of donation, donations made to Self-Help are intended to support the organization’s charitable mission and programs.

Self-Help does not guarantee that a third-party payment service will be continuously available or error-free. Third-party payment providers may have their own terms and privacy policies.

5. SMS/Text Message Communications

Self-Help may offer the option to receive SMS/text messages concerning Self-Help events, fundraisers, closures, and other important organizational updates.

5.1 Voluntary SMS Opt-In

By providing your mobile telephone number, you do not automatically consent to receive SMS/text messages.

To receive SMS/text messages from Self-Help, you must affirmatively opt in through an available SMS consent mechanism, such as checking an optional SMS consent box or otherwise expressly agreeing to receive text messages.

SMS consent is optional and is not required to use the Website, receive Self-Help services, participate in programs, participate in events, volunteer, or make a donation.

5.2 Types of Text Messages

If you opt in, messages may include information about:

• Pantry events

• Virtual fundraisers

• In-person fundraisers

• Community events

• Program updates

• Changes to event schedules

• Pantry closures

• Weather-related closures

• Emergency or time-sensitive operational changes

• Other important Self-Help activities and updates

Message frequency may vary depending on Self-Help activities and circumstances.

5.3 Message and Data Rates

Message and data rates may apply depending on your wireless carrier and mobile plan. Self-Help does not charge a separate fee for SMS messages, but your carrier may impose its own charges.

Self-Help does not guarantee that every text message will be successfully delivered, as delivery may depend on your wireless carrier, mobile device, network availability, and other factors outside our control.

5.4 Opting Out

You may withdraw your consent to receive SMS messages at any time.

To stop receiving Self-Help text messages, reply STOP to a Self-Help SMS message. You may receive a confirmation message, after which you will no longer receive SMS messages from us unless you subsequently provide a new affirmative opt-in, subject to applicable law.

For assistance, reply HELP to a Self-Help text message or contact Self-Help through the contact information provided on the Website.

5.5 SMS Consent and Privacy

Self-Help does not sell or rent mobile telephone numbers or SMS opt-in information to third parties for their own marketing purposes.

SMS consent information may be provided to service providers that assist Self-Help with sending and managing SMS communications, solely as reasonably necessary to provide those services or as otherwise permitted or required by law.

For additional information about how Self-Help collects, uses, and protects personal information, please review our Privacy Policy.

6. User Submissions

If the Website allows you to submit comments, inquiries, testimonials, photographs, applications, volunteer information, or other content, you agree that the information you provide is accurate and that you have the right to provide it.

You should not submit confidential, sensitive, or unnecessary personal information through public portions of the Website.

Self-Help reserves the right to remove or decline to publish submissions that are unlawful, abusive, defamatory, discriminatory, misleading, inappropriate, or otherwise inconsistent with the purpose of the Website.

7. Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise indicated, content on the Website, including text, graphics, logos, photographs, page designs, and other materials, is owned by or used with permission by Self-Help and may be protected by copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property laws.

You may view and use Website content for personal, non-commercial purposes. You may not reproduce, modify, distribute, publicly display, sell, or commercially exploit Website content without prior written permission, except where permitted by law.

8. Third-Party Links and Services

The Website may contain links to third-party websites, social media platforms, payment processors, event-registration systems, donation platforms, or other services.

These links are provided for convenience and informational purposes. Self-Help does not necessarily endorse or control third-party websites or services and is not responsible for their content, availability, security, terms, or privacy practices.

Your use of third-party websites and services is subject to their applicable terms and policies.

9. Disclaimer of Warranties

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Website and its content are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis.

Self-Help makes no guarantee that:

• The Website will always be available or uninterrupted

• The Website will be free from errors or defects

• Website content will always be complete, accurate, or current

• The Website will be free from viruses or other harmful components

• A particular program, service, event, or resource will be available at any particular time

Nothing in these Terms is intended to exclude or limit any rights or protections that cannot legally be excluded or limited under applicable law.

10. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Self-Help and its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, agents, and representatives will not be liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages arising from or related to your use of, or inability to use, the Website or information provided through the Website.

This limitation applies to the fullest extent permitted by law and does not limit liability that cannot legally be limited or excluded.

11. Indemnification

To the extent permitted by applicable law, you agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Self-Help and its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, agents, and representatives from claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses arising from your unlawful use of the Website, violation of these Terms, or infringement of another person's rights.

12. Privacy

Your use of the Website is also subject to Self-Help’s Privacy Policy, which describes how we collect, use, disclose, and protect personal information.

The Privacy Policy is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

13. Changes to These Terms

Self-Help may modify these Terms from time to time. Changes will become effective when posted on the Website unless a different effective date is stated.

Your continued use of the Website after revised Terms are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms to the extent permitted by law.

We encourage you to review these Terms periodically.

14. Governing Law

These Terms will be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to its conflict-of-law principles, except where applicable law requires otherwise.

15. Severability

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

16. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms, the Website, or Self-Help’s services, please contact:

Self-Help Closet & Pantry of Des Plaines
769 Holiday Lane

Des Plaines, Illinois

Website: selfhelppantry.org

Email: info@selfhelppantry.org

For SMS-related questions or assistance, please use the contact information provided on the Website.