Bristol Resident Sets Up Food Pantry Cabinet, Helps Those In Need

By Brian M. Johnson, The Bristol Press

January 19, 2022

A community initiative to create “Friends Diner” food pantry cabinets at local homes to aid those struggling with food insecurity is still going strong.

The initiative began in Oct. 2020, when local bus driver Lisa Glazier set up a miniature food pantry outside of her home. The cabinets were created by her son, Joey, who is a Boy Scout, and have since been given out to other residents looking to set them up.

Jan Lubrico Simmons read about Glazier’s initiative in the newspaper and decided she wanted to get involved. She set up a cabinet of her own at her home at 53 Concord St. which has been going strong ever since.

“My mom always used to try to help out our neighbors and when I saw that she (Lisa) was doing this, I asked her if I could get a cabinet,” said Lubrico Simmons. “This is our second year having it up and it has been working out well. I always said that if I ever won the lottery this is what I would do.”

People can visit the miniature food pantry, which is in front of her home along the sidewalk, at any time to either take food or leave some to help stock the pantry.

“It gets very busy,” said Lubrico Simmons. “I know a lady in Avon whose church gives out food. She comes by with 6 to 8 bags for me every Monday. Some people will private message me since they don’t feel comfortable taking from the pantry. I then leave bags out for them. There is no judging; it’s all about helping one another.”

Lubrico Simmons encouraged those who wish to add food to the pantry to bring by canned food, cereals and pastas.

“The support from the community has been phenomenal,” she said. “I am so thankful for the donations and truly appreciate every donation we get. I was very fortunate to have a village helping me out many years ago and always hoped to pay it forward.”

When Lubrico Simmons posted on the social media this week to remind the community that this food pantry was there, she received a strong response from several residents who thanked her for her efforts. More than 80 people liked the post.

Gil Wade, locksmith at Southington Community Services, said that Lubrico Simmons’ maintaining of the free food pantry was “very thoughtful.”

“Thank you for your kindness,” he wrote.

Amanda Mansfield wrote that the free food pantry initiative was “amazing.”

“Thank you for your kindness so much,” she wrote.

Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.