The date has been blocked out on her calendar for a long time now.

It doesn’t matter what else is going on or who else is around to help. On food pantry day, Caroline Viles is on the road, delivering support to the families that need it.

“We plan around the third Tuesday of the month,” said Viles, an ed tech at Athens Community School and the creator of its food cupboard. “That’s just what we do.”

It was 2013 when a teacher mentioned to Viles, 54, that some local kids weren’t getting enough to eat at home. The news stunned Viles, who had spent the better part of a decade volunteering in and around the tight-knit school community without recognizing the extent of her neighbors’ silent struggles. 

She vowed to help.

Viles connected with a local food pantry to learn the ropes, then solicited donations, organized fundraisers and launched the school’s backpack program. Thirteen years later, that project has grown substantially: Instead of sending participants home with a single backpack full of food, Viles and her team (usually her husband and kids) prepare and deliver large boxes of produce and protein to more than a dozen families. Once limited to the school calendar, the program now runs 12 months a year and is supported by grants from Good Shepherd Food Bank.

Like several other of the school workers we’re recognizing, Viles said she is uncomfortable being singled out for her service. She’s currently in the process of training the program’s next steward, who hopes to take over the operation sometime this school year. 

“There’s so many people involved and doing great work,” Viles said. “It certainly isn’t me; it’s everybody.” 

Sandy Perkins, one of Athens’ lead teachers, agreed that the community is built on neighbors supporting neighbors. But even in that context, she said Viles’ efforts stand out.

“She is willing to do and help in any way,” Perkins said. “Instead of just seeing a need, she took care of it.”

Maine State Credit Union is dedicated to supporting the people, traditions, and communities that keep our state strong. Learn more at mainestatecu.org.