Community Policies

Honesty • Dignity • Trust

Our community is built on mutual respect. These policies help us continue serving those who need us most.

Gentle Gratitude is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit dedicated to serving our community with care, compassion, and dignity. Everything we do — from providing menstrual products through our Flow Freedom program to distributing food, clothing, and comfort items — is made possible through the generous support of donors and community partners. To protect the integrity of our programs and ensure that our resources continue to reach those who truly need them, we ask all community members to read, understand, and honor the policies below.

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No Resale Policy

All items distributed by Gentle Gratitude — including menstrual products, food, clothing, hygiene items, and any other donated or purchased goods — are provided exclusively for the personal use of the requesting individual and/or their household.

Items received through any Gentle Gratitude program must not be sold, traded for profit, or commercially redistributed in any form.

These items are donated and funded specifically to support individuals and families in our community who are experiencing need. Reselling them undermines the generosity of our donors, takes resources away from others who need them, and goes against the values on which Gentle Gratitude was founded.

Prohibited actions include, but are not limited to:

  • Selling received items online (Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, eBay, etc.) or in person
  • Trading items for monetary compensation
  • Collecting items on behalf of others with the intent to resell
  • Requesting items in excess of personal need for the purpose of resale or bulk distribution for profit

⚠ CONSEQUENCE OF VIOLATIONIf Gentle Gratitude has reasonable suspicion that a community member has resold or attempted to resell received items, that individual may be PERMANENTLY BANNEDfrom receiving future support from any Gentle Gratitude program. We take this seriously because every item that is resold is an item taken from someone who truly needs it.

If you received items that you no longer need, we ask that you return them to Gentle Gratitude or donate them directly to another person in need — never sell them. Contact us and we will gladly accept returns so they can be redistributed.

Honesty & Accuracy in Submissions

When submitting a request for products or services through any Gentle Gratitude program, we ask that all community members be truthful and accurate in the information they provide.

Submitting false, misleading, or duplicated information to receive services is a violation of our community trust and may result in removal from our programs.

This includes being honest about:

  • Your name, contact information, and location
  • The number of individuals in your household you are requesting support for
  • The school or organization through which you are applying (where applicable)
  • The products or services you are requesting and the purpose for which they are needed
  • Any other information requested on Gentle Gratitude intake or application forms

Accurate information allows us to understand who we are serving, identify gaps in our community, and make the strongest possible case to donors, funders, and advocates who support our work. When you are honest with us, you are helping us help more people.

Your Privacy & Confidentiality

We understand that sharing personal information requires trust, and we take that responsibility seriously.

Any information you share with Gentle Gratitude is strictly confidential and will never be sold, shared with outside parties for commercial purposes, or used in any way that could identify you publicly without your explicit consent.

Your information is collected solely for internal purposes, including:

  • Understanding and documenting who we are serving across our programs
  • Measuring the reach and impact of our services
  • Advocating on behalf of our community with funders, schools, and partner organizations
  • Improving how we deliver services to best meet your needs
  • Fulfilling grant reporting requirements that allow us to continue operating

When we share impact data publicly (such as in grant applications or reports), it is always presented in aggregate, anonymous form — for example, “We served 1,000+ students across nine states” — never in a way that identifies any individual.

You have the right to ask what information we have on file for you, request corrections, or ask that your information be removed from our records. Simply contact us at the information listed below.

Reporting a Concern

If you are aware of someone violating this policy — including reselling Gentle Gratitude items or submitting false information — we encourage you to report it so we can protect the integrity of our programs for everyone in the community.

All reports are kept confidential. You will never be identified as the person who reported a concern.

To report a concern, contact us at:

📧 contact.gentlegratitude@gmail.com

🌐 www.gentlegratitudephilly.com

Our Commitment to You

Gentle Gratitude is committed to treating every community member with dignity, compassion, and respect — no questions asked, no judgment given. These policies exist not to create barriers, but to ensure that our resources continue reaching the people who need them most. Thank you for being a part of our community and for honoring these values alongside us.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Gentle Gratitude believes that every person deserves access to support, resources, and dignity — without exception. We are committed to providing our services in a fair, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all.

Gentle Gratitude does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, socioeconomic status, immigration status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

This policy applies to all aspects of our programs and operations, including but not limited to:

  • Eligibility to request and receive products or services
  • How community members are treated by Gentle Gratitude staff, volunteers, and representatives
  • Participation in any Gentle Gratitude event, program, or initiative
  • Communications and outreach conducted on behalf of our organization

We are here for everyone in our community. No one will be turned away, treated differently, or made to feel unwelcome because of who they are, where they come from, or what they believe.

📣 EXPERIENCING OR WITNESSING DISCRIMINATION?If you believe you have been discriminated against by anyone representing Gentle Gratitude, or if you witness discriminatory behavior toward another community member, we ask that you report it immediately. Every report will be taken seriously and investigated promptly. Contact us at CONTACT.GENTLEGRATITUDE@GMAIL.COM.

Gentle Gratitude also expects all community members, volunteers, and partners to treat one another with respect. Discriminatory language or behavior directed at any member of our community will not be tolerated and may result in removal from our programs.

Policy Updates

Gentle Gratitude reserves the right to update or revise this Community Policy at any time. Changes will be reflected on this page with an updated effective date. We encourage community members to review this policy periodically. Continued use of our services after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

If you have questions about any part of this policy, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are always happy to talk with you directly.

Gentle Gratitude

Executive Director: Deneisha Cook
📧 contact.gentlegratitude@gmail.com
🌐 www.gentlegratitudephilly.com
📸 @Gentlegratitudephilly