In between meetings, employees of Blue Ridge Elementary in Columbia squeezed in time for lunch.

Under the lid of some crock pots, like steam off a good stew, this story needed to get out. At Blue Ridge Elementary, blue ribbons were up for grabs as judges chipped in their time to assess jazzy artichoke dip.

But there's a point to this pot luck. The teachers and staff cooked not for ribbons - but for a Ruby. A gem of a school cook, she's dished out lunchtime humor for the last 12 years.

"I guess it happened at home," said Carolyn Smith, Blue Ridge Elementary employee. "We heard about it on a weekend that she'd had several strokes and was in the hospital."

"The week before she just said she was feeling off," said Susan Label, school cook. "And she looked like she was feeling off."

"Three strokes over one weekend," said Cheryl Brewer, school employee.

Her co-workers organized a Ruby Cook-off, and fired up their own ovens in honor of their favorite school cook.

"People paid to enter," said Brewer. "And if they didn't want to enter, they paid to eat."

"This is like Thanksgiving dinner," said Teri Smith, a judge.

In the end, the Ruby Cook-off raised hundreds of dollars. But a few weeks after the event, the real prize came rolling through the school doors. Ruby Hendren is still re-learning how to walk and talk. Her left side is still weak. But the get well cards from the kids in her lunch line keep her spirit strong.

"And maybe one day come back to work. Who knows," said Hendren. "I feel very special, very good and I appreciate it very much."

At Blue Ridge, the students are learning the ABC's of charity.

"I hope it shows them to help each other," said Brewer, "and to care about each other."

Even if you already have a full plate, there's still room for another helping.

"I thank everyone for what they did," said Hendren. "I appreciate it very much."

Before her strokes, Ruby Hendren liked to compete in barbecue cook-offs. The Ruby Cook-off at Blue Ridge raised about $500.