POLLY WOODARD drank in the scent of sliced oranges. She scooped them into her gloved hand and filled the row of lunch trays. She smiled in quiet anticipation. Soon, the first group of hungry students would begin lining up, and the opportunity for her to be a bright spot in their day would begin. Though she had served nutritious meals at East Side Elementary School for 32 years, had spent four years at Cascade Middle School, and one year at the high school, plus 13 years traveling from school to school as a field supervisor, she would always treasure the memory of this day.
The door squeaked open, causing her to turn.
“Mrs. Polly?”
The student’s cheeks and nose were flushed as if he had been crying.
“My teacher sent me to the principal’s office, and I was wondering if…”
His voice trembled as he nervously continued.
“I was wondering … will you go with me?”
For the last 50 years, Polly had strived to make the lunchroom a “safe space” and to be a ray of sunshine for every student who came through her line. There were days she questioned whether she was truly making a difference. But not today. She pulled off her gloves and dropped them into the trashcan.
“Of course, I’ll go with you,” she replied.
Prior to 1975, Polly was a stay-at-home mother of three children. When her youngest child enrolled in kindergarten, Polly began her job in the lunchroom. The position gave her the flexibility to spend holidays and summers with her family and meant she was available after school when her children needed her most. During school hours, she made it her mission to love every child as if they were her own.
“I have always believed that you can’t teach a hungry child,” said Polly. “Having a good meal at school and being served by a friendly face is something that impacts a child’s tummy and spirit.”
Through the hard times, such as when her husband of 42 years died, it was the ladies in the lunchroom who encouraged Polly.
“Everyone is so supportive of one another. We have become like family. I have worked through family tragedies and felt like if I had not had a group of women who truly cared and supported me, then I wouldn’t have been able to keep working. I enjoy working and consider it my ‘home away from home.’”
Polly’s 80th birthday is quickly approaching, and she said, “As long as my family doesn’t need me at home, I will continue working no less than three days per week. God has been so good to me, and I never take for granted each day that I am able to get up and make a difference in this ever-changing world. I believe it’s important to work hard, stay focused, and be that friend that shows up and helps out when someone is having an off day. I always try to smile and encourage the children as they pick up or drop off their trays. We may be the only ray of sunshine the children see that day.”
Over the years, prepacked foods have slowly replaced the freshly baked yeast rolls, homemade desserts, and the stacks of recipes they used to follow.
But Polly said, “The food is much easier to prepare and serve, but it has remained nutritious, which is our main objective. I like the way it is today. Change is necessary, and children have so many options, from ‘grab and go’ to a hot meal. I can’t remember the last time I heard a child complain about their meal options.”
Polly’s unwavering dedication has made the cafeteria a place of refuge for countless students. Her legacy of kindness and compassion continues to shine brightly, nourishing more than just hungry stomachs. GN
