Integrity Guided. Creativity Driven. Innovation Realized.

No one in our community goes to bed hungry. We are committed to providing a reliable food source to individuals and families facing food insecurity. Through our co-operated community food pantry, we aim to alleviate hunger and restore dignity to those in need, helping them to thrive with the nourishment and support they deserve.

In these challenging times, we understand that food insecurity affects people from all walks of life—families with children, older people, veterans, and individuals facing unexpected hardships.

Our goal is simple: to ensure everyone can access healthy, nutritious food, regardless of circumstances.

Our Work

Bold new models that revolutionize systemic issues:

Connecticut's FIRST Pharmaceutical Vending Machine

The Lavender Policy Center launched Connecticut’s first pharmaceutical vending machine program to break down barriers to

essential health supplies. These machines are strategically placed in trusted community facilities such as food pantries, pride centers, and transitional housing — locations chosen for their reach among low-income families or other vulnerable populations facing health inequities, and individuals at risk of overdose.

In the News

The Lavender Policy Center’s pharmaceutical vending machine initiative was recently highlighted by FOX61 and The Hartford Times, underscoring its impact on expanding community access to essential non-prescription medications. These features reflect growing statewide recognition of the program’s role in advancing harm-reduction and public health innovation.


Fox61 Hartford Times

Basic Needs

Each machine is fully licensed through the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, ensuring safety,

accountability, and regulatory compliance.

The vending machines dispense free over-the-counter health essential products including Pregnancy and UTI test kits, Narcan (Naloxone), Allergy and

Cold/Flu relief medicines, Pain relievers, Contraceptives, and Maternal supplies. The significance behind this replicable model is that these items are often unavailable in many food pantry settings


Why It Matters

Basic pharmacy supplies—such as NARCAN, contraceptives, cold/flu medicine, UTI and pregnancy test kits—are essential needs, yet they remain expensive and inaccessible for many individuals, leading people to go without critical care. Our pharmaceutical vending machine model transforms what is typically an overlooked convenience into a critical public-health service that reduces barriers, supports early intervention, and promotes health equity.


Our goal is simple: To ensure that every person—regardless of where they live, their income, or their circumstances—has access to the tools, protections, and supports that help them stay healthy, informed, and safe.