Purple pantry boxes (PPB) critical facts

All 18 PPB are filled with shelf stable food everyday, some even filled twice per day!
The PPB are available for people in need of food support to get healthy food 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
There are no barriers to get food; simply walk up to a PPB, open the door, Take What You Need and Donate What you Can
Only factory sealed food can be used; no food donated that has been opened, is in a zip lock bag, or reusable container can be distributed in a PPB. If the food needs to live in a refrigerator or freezer we cannot use it or distribute it in a PPB

As we continue to serve folks who struggle with food insecurity, a long term goal is to create an additional space for people in our community to get perishable foods, adding another layer of nutritious food to our neighbors who need help and support. This is why we are increasing our fundraising efforts and hosting a number of exciting community events. Hope to see you there!

NewS!

2026 Events

Saturday, March 14th: Milford's St. Patrick's Day Parade - Come see the PPB team walk the parade and bring your non-perishable donations.

March 2026: Milford Little League is hosting a 4-day food drive during the spring season evaluations.

Saturday, March 28th: Purple Pantry Boxes Sixth Birthday Party! There is a Food Drive, Raffle, Food Truck, Incredible Beers from NEBCO and Even Better Friends. This is hosted at New England Brewing Company in Branford.

Monday, May 18th: The 4th Annual Purple Pantry Boxes Golf Tournament is filling up fast, don't miss out on . You don't have to know how to golf to support a great cause and have an incredible Monday on a golf course. Learn more and register at www.MilfordCharityGolf.com

Friday & Saturday, August 14th & 15th: The Milford Oyster Festival is always a great time! Find the PPB team there and learn about the impacts we are having on Milford friends in need.

Saturday September 19th: Purple Pantry Party 2026 - Shop Local, Save Big! This was a huge success last year and this time we are going even bigger including all of Milford. Buy your purple bracelet to save at so many local businesses while doing good in helping fight food insecurity. https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/purple-pantry-party-2026-shop-local-save-big

Thursday, November 26th: Join us for the www.MilfordTurkeyTrot.com This event has raised over $159k for charity in just the first five years. Joins us for year 6. Live music from the Rum Runners, free beer from NEBCO, Tribus, Two Roads, Viva, Athletic and more. You can choose between our beautiful 1/2/3+ mile run/walk routes on Thanksgiving morning. Run Now and Gobble Later - and do good in the community the entire time.

Tuesday December 1st: Giving Tuesday. Please keep PPB in your minds as this is a great day to support your local Milford neighbors in need.

2026 PPB Food Drives

January 19th: Food Drive at Adams Hometown Markets, 10am-3pm, 1391 New Haven Ave, Milford CT

February 15th: Food Drive at Adams Hometown Markets, 10am-3pm, 1391 New Haven Ave, Milford CT

March 22nd: Food Drive at Adams Hometown Markets, 10am-3pm, 1391 New Haven Ave, Milford CT

April 18th: Food Drive at Adams Hometown Markets, 10am-3pm, 1391 New Haven Ave, Milford CT

May 9th: Food Drive at Adams Hometown Markets, 10am-3pm, 1391 New Haven Ave, Milford CT

June 13th: Food Drive at Adams Hometown Markets, 10am-3pm, 1391 New Haven Ave, Milford CT

July 19th: Food Drive at Adams Hometown Markets, 10am-3pm, 1391 New Haven Ave, Milford CT

August 23rd: Food Drive at Adams Hometown Markets, 10am-3pm, 1391 New Haven Ave, Milford CT

September 27th: Food Drive at Adams Hometown Markets, 10am-3pm, 1391 New Haven Ave, Milford CT

October 18th: Food Drive at Adams Hometown Markets, 10am-3pm, 1391 New Haven Ave, Milford CT

November 22nd: Food Drive at Adams Hometown Markets, 10am-3pm, 1391 New Haven Ave, Milford CT

volunteer opportunities

We use volunteers in all aspects of our daily existence. While we can use more organizers and pantry fillers, we are also looking for help with social media, networking, grant writing and fundraising.

Money is appreciated, Time is appreciated, Awareness is appreciated.

Take what you need, donate what you can.

Reach out to us at PurplePantryBoxes@gmail.com

About Us

Our Team

The Purple Pantry Boxes team is comprised of family, friends, and community members.

Our Director and Founder Susan Brown is joined by our Chief Financial Officer Aaron Brown Ortiz, and Chief Marketing Officer Tyler Brown-Ortiz. Our pantry box builder is Chris Grejtak. Larry Woodcock serves as our deployment specialist. The signs on our boxes are designed by Denise Lukienchuk. Tor Blackstad is our Community Engagement Director and Sue's Craziness Manager.

We also have an outstanding group of volunteers. They do an incredible amount of work for us including but not limited to; distributing food, maintaining pantry boxes, scouring store circulars for sales, working and creating food drives, and knitting hats.

Our Mission

Our motto is; take what you need and donate if you can.

We want people to have easy access to staple food items while also engaging members of the community to donate.

Our Story

Beginning way back in March 2020 with three plastic bins and a dream, we have now grown to 18 permanent pantry boxes in the Milford/Bridgeport/West Haven/East Haven area. Stay tuned!

The Purple Pantry Boxes was awarded "Best Local Cause" by the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025!

Our founder and CEO, Sue Brown was awarded "Volunteer of the the Year" in 2022 by the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce

Sue was also Awarded the Elks Distinguished Citizenship Award for her work with PPB!

The Purple Pantry Boxes are responsible for getting more than 18,000 pieces of food into Connecticut citizens mouths every month via 18 pantries.

Ten (10) of the pantries are run, managed and filled daily by the Milford PPB volunteers. Eight (8) of the pantries are adopted by other organizations following the training and approach of the core Milford team, distributed around Milford, Bridgeport, West Haven, and East Haven.

We are officially a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization. Upon request we will gladly provide receipts for tax purposes.

Look at what just happened

Best Local Cause

We won Best Local Cause which was held by the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce for the fourth year in a row!!

Growth to do Good

We are always looking to grow in the size of our volunteers as well as our community partners. Many organizations and students volunteer regularly at our Pantry space. We have been part of several local food insecurity groups; West Haven, Milford Public Health and All In For Milford. Each group is very important and works together to build relationships in the community.

Food Drives Keep the Pantries Full

ShopRite created food bags to support the Purple Pantry Boxes and their wonderful customers bought 276 of these bags, a wonder donation of food for us. Additional food drives: Adam’s Hometown Market each month, CT Orthopedics, Milford Health and Rehabilitation, AT Sangha Yoga Studio, Bend Yoga Studio, Walk Milford Challenge, Pop’s Family Restaurant, Milford Little League, Athlete, several neighborhood food drives and our dear friend Nolan who had a food drive that lasted a month at Calf Pen Meadow Elementary school. We even had a local author conduct a food drive at her book launch and signing.

Golf for a Cause

Join us and have a great time on the links while doing good for the community. May 18th, 2006! Tons of generous local businesses are helping make the golf tournament a great success, check out the website to register and sponsor www.MilfordCharityGolf.com

Run for a Cause

Join us for the www.MilfordTurkeyTrot.com This event has raised over $159k for charity in just the first five years. Joins us for year 6. Live music from the Rum Runners, free beer from NEBCO, Tribus, Two Roads, Viva, Athletic and more. Choose from a beautiful 1/2/3+ mile run/walk route on Thanksgiving morning. Run Now and Gobble Later.

Support From Every Corner of CT

The local Rotary clubs; Orange, Milford, Devon and West Haven received a grant and they adopted one of our existing Pantries. They have taken responsibility for shopping and filling this pantry. Additionally the Devon Rotary gave us a wonderful financial donation.

TrinityPoint Wealth has joined PPB as another business sponsor.

The Elks Lodge in Milford has always been a great sponsor of the PPB with various grants, fundraisers, food drives and community support