In the close-knit town of Stanton, Tenn., nearly everyone knows one another. But the name Gloria Boyland, or more affectionately "Miss Gloria" or "Mama," extends beyond simple recognition. She's the reason laughter echoes a little louder at the Stanton Cannery, the reason neighbors lend a hand a little quicker, and the reason Stanton feels like more than just a place on the map.

Her story begins, as so many good stories do, in the kitchen.

"I was raised by my great-grandmother," Miss Gloria said. "She loved to cook."

From the age of 5, Miss Gloria was by her great-grandmother's side, learning the secrets of Southern cuisine.

"She cooked a lot of wild stuff," Miss Gloria said, "like rabbits and squirrels."

While those dishes weren’t her favorites and didn't make it on the menu at the Cannery, the act of cooking and transforming simple ingredients into something delicious took root in her soul.

Growing up in a family of 12 siblings, Miss Gloria quickly learned that cooking wasn't just a hobby; it was a necessity.

"After my great-grandmother passed away, I moved in with my mom," she said. "She worked, so we had to cook. I started cooking for my siblings, and I've been cooking ever since."

Years later, Miss Gloria found herself in Stanton, running a restaurant called the Stanton Inn, a business venture she swore she'd never repeat. But once it was determined that Ford’s Blue Oval City would land in Stanton, Miss Gloria’s plans of retirement quickly changed.

"I got a call from the mayor," she said. "He told me, 'Gloria, I'm opening up the cannery as a commercial kitchen, and I want you to run it.'"

After receiving a grant from the Ford Philanthropy team and support from Ford Community Relations, the city renovated the space. Purchasing new seating, tables, air conditioning, and other aesthetic upgrades, Miss Gloria transformed the Cannery from a bare-bones facility into a welcoming café.

Since reopening, Miss Gloria’s Cannery has become a central hub of Stanton — a gathering place for locals, a frequent lunch spot for those working at Blue Oval City, and a common meeting place for the Ford Philanthropy team.

“There aren't many people in Stanton to get involved in stuff, so I try to be one of the ones who makes a difference.”

Gloria Boyland, chef at the Stanton Cannery

When not at the Cannery, Miss Gloria doesn’t slow down. She partners with the town and Ford Philanthropy to host monthly food distributions, ensuring that no one goes hungry. She's involved in back-to-school drives, the Christmas parade, and even started an Exchange Club to beautify the town and provide scholarships for local students.

"Strategic partnerships are key to creating real impact in communities," said Hassan Hammoud, Ford Philanthropy senior manager. "Working with leaders like Miss Gloria allows us to engage directly with the community and build a foundation for lasting success.”

"I enjoy being around, and I enjoy doing what I can to help," Miss Gloria said. "There aren't many people in Stanton to get involved in stuff, so I try to be one of the ones who makes a difference and do whatever I can."

Looking to the future, Miss Gloria dreams of expanding the Cannery, hiring more staff and making the dining area bigger so she can keep up with the surge in business. She's even considering opening on Saturdays, giving the local community a chance to gather and connect.

And what should you order if you ever find yourself at the Cannery? While Miss Gloria loves all her desserts, her chicken and dumplings, served every other Wednesday, are legendary. People start calling on Tuesday to place their orders, eager to secure a taste of Miss Gloria's famous dish.

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Kait Leo writes for the Ford Communications team.