Busy students spent Saturday serving homeless

Our time is precious. We spend our Saturdays running around doing errands, getting caught up for the week, while a group of students is spending their Saturday giving back.

Up early to beat the crowds at Costco, four grad students all studying for careers in anesthesia are taking a break from the books. They're on a mission this Saturday to purchase, make and serve a hot meal to about 50 people challenged by homelessness at St. Stephen's in Minneapolis. Phil and Anna from the Minneapolis School of Anesthesia, Danielle and Paul from the University of Minnesota, all part-way through their highly competitive programs, are juggling various demands and endless hours of studying. Plus, Danielle has three children. Paul has five.

The belief among this group is that books and helping the community is a balance. (They also built-in some study time until more nurse anesthetists students join them to serve their meal later Saturday night.)

Their goal? To gather a group of students to serve a meal one a month and inspire others to find a balance in their own busy schedules -- simply pause, and give back.