SMS Text Messaging Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy describes how the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society (“Greater Vancouver Food Bank,” “GVFB,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) handles information in connection with our SMS (text message) program. This policy applies specifically to text messages we send and receive through our staff phone numbers in Microsoft Teams. It supplements, and does not replace, any other privacy policy posted on foodbank.bc.ca.
What this program is
We use text messaging only for one-to-one, conversational communication between GVFB staff and our existing contacts — food bank clients and partner community agencies. Typical texts include confirming or rescheduling a food appointment, confirming a scheduled agency food pickup, and sending a link to information on our website that you have asked us for. We do not use SMS for marketing, promotional, fundraising, bulk, or automated messaging.
Information we collect
- Your mobile phone number, which you provide to us when you register for food access or when your agency establishes a partnership with us.
- The content of the text messages you exchange with our staff.
- Your consent status, including whether you have opted out of text messages.
How we use your information
- To respond to you and coordinate appointments, food pickups, and other service-related matters.
- To send you information you have requested.
- To keep a record of your consent and opt-out preferences so we can honour them.
How we share your information
Mobile opt-in information and your phone number are not shared with third parties for marketing purposes.
We do not sell, rent, or trade your phone number or text message content. We share information only with the service providers that make text messaging possible — for example, Microsoft and the underlying telecommunications carriers — and only to the extent needed to deliver messages on our behalf. We may also disclose information where required by law.
Your choices and consent
You provide your consent to receive text messages from us when you give us your mobile number during client registration or agency onboarding, and are told that a GVFB staff member may contact you by text. You can stop receiving texts from one of our numbers at any time by replying STOP to that number. You can reply HELP for assistance. Standard message and data rates may apply, and message frequency varies.
Data retention
We retain text message records only as long as needed to provide our services, honour your communication preferences, and meet our legal and operational requirements, after which they are deleted or anonymized.
How to contact us
If you have questions about this policy or about how we handle your information, contact us at:
- Phone: 604-876-3601
- Email: reception@foodbank.bc.ca
- Mail: Greater Vancouver Food Bank, 8345 Winston Street, Burnaby, BC V5A 2H3
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with a revised “Last updated” date.
