By Clark Judge
(November 1, 2025) — Anyone who tells you that the little things in life don’t matter hasn’t met Killingworth’s Rich Filosi. Nor, for that matter, do they know much about the Copper Skillet.
If they did, they’d realize the two are central figures in the Feel Good Story of the Week, one that began when Filosi (photo above) and the Killingworth restaurant did something America’s politicians have not — namely, act to help people in danger of losing SNAP food benefits amid the ongoing government shutdown.
How? Easy.
Filosi walked into the Skillet on Thursday, met with co-owner Dennis Panagopoulos (photo above, left, with Bill Panagopoulos, right) and donated $100 to buy meals for customers who couldn’t afford them. The restaurant immediately matched that figure, and within 24 hours — or after social media broke the news early Friday — others pitched in, pushing the figure to $415 by the afternoon.
And it won’t stop there.
“It’s wonderful,” said Panagopoulos, who urged people seeking assistance to telephone the restaurant, promising anonymity. “I don’t want money left over. I want people to use it. When it comes to children eating, why should there ever be a question? A child needs to eat.”
The move is similar to one Filosi initiated in the spring of 2020 when, in the wake of COVID, he donated more than $100 to the Skillet to purchase “pay-it-forward” breakfast trays for people in need. Like now, the move launched a community response that produced over $1,300 in donations, with an estimated $940 going toward food and the rest to charities.
In short, it was an overwhelming success.
“I run a catering group,” Filosi said, “so food and people are my passion. I don’t ever want to see someone go hungry. But this is no big deal.”
Others would disagree. In fact, others have on social media … with Jean Panciera calling it “Killingworth at its best” in a Facebook post. And why not? In a world of social and political upheaval where conflict, anger and division dominate the headlines, what Filosi and the Copper Skillet have done is a refreshing relief — and it’s not so much about the money as it is the gesture. It’s borne out of compassion for those who need it. Plus, it didn’t take an act of Congress to accomplish.
It took a handshake.
“I love this town,” said Filosi. A retired firefighter, “I feel like a part of the community and part of a fabric that wants to do whatever we can to make it better. When I was reading an article about contingency plans for SNAP, I realized there really wasn’t one. I knew there would be people in our own community who rely on these benefits, and politics are slow. So I asked myself: How can we make a small local donation that actually matters?
“I called the Skillet again, like we did back in 2020, and they came through, like they always do. At the end of the day, I’m just trying to raise two little boys and show them how to be a good humans and that it’s important to show up, say ‘hello’ and help out.”
Wife Anna put it more succinctly.
“It’s a difficult time for a lot of people,” she said, “so I think he’s just trying to do some good.”
The rest you know.
One footnote: Throughout our interview, Filosi made it clear more than once that he’s uncomfortable with the attention, preferring to remain anonymous. But that ship sailed long ago … or after WTNH-TV identified him in a 2020 story. And let’s be honest: What he started … correction: What he and the Copper Skillet have begun … deserves to be recognized. It speaks as much to the character of their community as it does the individuals involved.
“You know something?” said Panagopoulos, “I told him: ‘You’re a great man. The world needs more people like you.’ “
Amen.
Photos by Clark Judge
