(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Leftovers from a meal are a common staple in many households.
Students in Texas State Technical College’s Culinary Arts program have found a way to turn theirs into help for their peers in Sweetwater. Leftover dishes are converted into portioned meals for the campus Advocacy and Resource Center (ARC) to distribute.
The heat-and-serve meals are a hit among recipients, including Faith Sirri, a first-semester vocational nursing student from Cameroon.
“It tasted great,” she said. “I did not realize it was from the students here. I thought it came from a fancy restaurant.”
Kati Bewley, TSTC’s ARC lead in West Texas, said the commitment to help others runs deep at the campus.
“I truly value the opportunity to collaborate with other departments across campus,” she said. “Our culinary arts program generously packages the meals they prepare, and I pick them up to stock in the food pantry.”
Recently, Bewley had 14 meals ready. Knowing the vocational nursing cohort was on campus, she reached out, and the future nurses enjoyed the food.
“This is what I love most about ARC. We each make small contributions that can have a meaningful impact on a student’s day,” Bewley said. “One student shared that she didn’t have enough money to cover both lunch and groceries for dinner. Because of these partnerships, we were able to make sure she had both. She left with lunch and food from the pantry. That is what kindness looks like.”
Lyanna Cintron, a Culinary Arts instructor, said her classes learn a valuable lesson by preparing the donations.
“We have been teaching our future chefs about yield percentage,” she said. “We do not want to see anything go to waste. Many times, chefs like to send what is leftover to people in need.”
The menu depends on the weekly lessons, with recent offerings including chicken-fried steak, steakhouse salads, chili con carne and steaks.
“Whatever our students make and do not take home, we will box it up for ARC,” Cintron said. “It is our way of helping our programs.”
For more information about TSTC, visit TSTC.edu.