Mary Poole has been a part of Benton’s school system for twenty-seven years and counting. She spent twelve years at Ewing before stepping away to help babysit her granddaughter, who was born prematurely. After a couple of years away, she returned to the school district, first as a middle school secretary and later at the district office, where she’s spent the last twelve years as the Food Service Director.

While easily taken for granted, Mary references the complexities her staff navigates daily, from the kid who struggles to learn because they often come to school hungry to the child with a life-threatening allergy; she and her staff understand their primary goal isn’t just about the food itself, but also the service provided by her staff.

“My lunch ladies are very good,” says Mary. “They really care about the kids. They make sure that they feel welcome and make sure they’re fed. That’s the number one thing. They get very well acquainted with the kids. They make special meals. They do whatever I ask them to do, and they never complain. They worked through COVID. We did the grab-and-go, where people came and picked up meals that were needed.”

Always one to give back, she explains that during COVID, school staff and police officers often stopped by to pick up trays of food, which they distributed to the community. A compassionate woman who takes pride in helping others, she shares that her proudest moment occurred during her first year as the Food Service Director. At the time, Mary researched, applied for, and received funding through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program.

The program allows the district to provide students with free daily meals— breakfast and lunch. Benton is now in their twelfth consecutive year (three successful applications, each good for four years) qualifying for the funding. Mary admits being awarded the CEP funding simplifies her role. Instead of focusing on community financial support and past-due lunch money collection, she can ensure that summer school participants receive a warm breakfast and after-school tutoring includes a healthy snack.

Born and raised in West Frankfort, she has lived in Benton far longer than she had resided in West Frankfort, now living in the same house that she and her husband built forty-one years ago. While she sees similarities between the towns, she also values the prideful support that Benton’s residents show for the school system. “It’s a big sports town. I know the community really gets behind the schools. There’s lots of participation in all of the things.”

From the annual Thanksgiving feast to Jump Rope for Heart to the annual health fair, which paused due to COVID restrictions, Mary loves seeing the community come together proactively to support its youth. Mary also raised two children, both of whom went through Benton High School. Able to view the community’s support through multiple lenses, she sees how her influence and the greater community’s support influenced her children.

Mary’s children both decided to continue her legacy by focusing on education. Her daughter is a teacher in Marion, and her son works in the IT Department of Benton’s special education district. He also runs a nonprofit called Can’s Can, which “ensures the teachers have whatever they need.”

While Mary and her children give back to the community in countless ways, she knows what’s most important to her students. Sometimes, something as simple as a half dozen hot and crispy chicken nuggets. “The mashed potatoes here are unbelievable. That’s the kids’ favorite day, the biggest participation day. Chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes and gravy, and a hot roll.” And with that, she succinctly sums up our conversation better than I ever could, adding, “That’s what lunch ladies do: we take care of people.”