Senior Andrea Essner works in the cafeteria kitchen in Massman Hall.

It appears as simple surplus – a few vegetables here, some sides there, extra meat – all perfectly good, just too much, so marked for throw-away. But in the hands of Sodexo chefs, and a handful of student volunteers, that simple surplus is transformed into “Leftovers With Love.”

Twice a week, a team of Rockhurst students, working under the direction of Sodexo chefs, takes leftover food from the cafeteria and creates rich, healthy and nutritious meals. They pack them up and deliver them to two local Catholic facilities, St. James Place and Holy Family Catholic Worker House, where they are provided to clients in need.

“Sodexo’s mission is to fight hunger,“ says Sodexo general manager Mike Johnson, “Using surplus food from the cafeteria is a great way to help do that here. It’s also a great way for students to step outside their typical environment and help others.”

Coordinated by the Voices for Justice student group, “Leftovers With Love” kicked off in late September with a training session on food safety and preparation. More than 30 students participated and interest continues to grow. Part of the reason is because the project takes place on campus, providing a convenient way for Rockhurst students to earn service hours.

“I asked a lot of students what they thought before we started the program,“ says senior Andrea Essner, who along with Johnson, spearheaded the project, “so I knew there was going to be a lot of interest. And so far, we’ve gotten really good feedback. People are having fun, they are enjoying it and they’re helping others.“