While the much-anticipated debut of a new student-run food pantry on the Southeast Side was delayed, that didn't stop the celebration Saturday at St. Francis de Sales' inaugural Christmas Extravaganza.

Hundreds of Southeast Side families gathered at the community event at the school, 10155 S. Ewing Ave., where fresh produce, catered hot meals, toys and Christmas trees were distributed to community members.

More than 700 people came, more than twice the 300 expected. The turnout speaks to the need in the community, said Roni-Nicole Facen, principal of the school, who grew up in the neighborhood and returned as principal and CEO of St. Francis five years ago. At the time, the school saw "an influx of people seeking assistance ... and their primary request was for food," she said.

In response, Facen would deliver food, which she paid for herself, in her Dodge Ram 1500.

Being on the Southeast Side, Facen said, "We're in a food desert. There's no trauma hospital on this side of town, so if I can be of some type of help to our community and the things we do that's important."

But the demand continued to grow, so in 2021 the school partnered with the Greater Food Depository for additional support. That sparked the initiative for the school's permanent student-led food pantry.

"When I presented this idea to our students, they enthusiastically embraced it and committed themselves to its growth and success," Facen said. "They have consistently been the driving force behind innovative ideas to ensure our efforts make a difference. While it requires a significant time commitment, the students never hesitate to seize the opportunity to help others."

Saturday's event was meant in part to kick off the food pantry, but an electrical problem delayed the unveiling. The pantry should be operational in a few weeks, Facen said.

Kasiaja Williams, 16, and Dwayne Triplett, 17, juniors at the high school, have been involved in the school's monthly food pantry program since freshman year.

As the food pantry expands, Williams and Triplett have been involved in planning the new dedicated pantry space. "There's been lots of visualizing where everything's going to go and who's going to be in charge of what," Williams said.

Williams said she has seen the impact of the program and its importance to families struggling to make ends meet. "A lot of people can't go to grocery stores or afford their groceries, so when they come to our school, they get groceries and don't have to worry about where their next meal is coming from," she said. "Not everyone has transportation or lives near grocery stores. Some people only have Quik Mart, and sometimes they don't have everything you need."

Williams and Triplett's involvement in the pantry is a source of pride and purpose. "It makes me feel proud and honored to help other people," said Williams. "Some people go days without eating because they don't have enough money to get food or don't have the proper transportation to get groceries."

The school has done monthly food distributions serving over 300 families, but with the pantry they now have a dedicated space to distribute food to the community.

"I believe the need will continue to grow, and my team and school will be there to meet it," Facen said. Last year, she said the school collected 300 toys for children in the area, and this year the school was able to collect more than 1,500 toys to distribute to kids in the neighborhood.

The food pantry delay didn't dampen the holiday cheer as kids enjoyed activities like face painting and a bouncy house while parents expressed gratitude for the resources during the holidays.

Brenda Sanchez, a community member of 17 years, brought her 6-year-old son, Yael, a first grader, to the event. He was excited to get his face painted and receive a train set as part of the toy giveaway.

"I think people really appreciate it, especially as parents who might not have the means to get their kids gifts," Sanchez said.

Mary Kay Ramirez, a recently retired staff member who worked at the high school for 40 years, highlighted the contributions of community partners like the Big Shoulders Fund, which provided boxed meals for families to take home. Each meal contained servings for four people, so families could share a meal, she said.

Josh Hale, CEO of the Big Shoulders Fund, was also in attendance Saturday morning. He noted the celebration was also meaningful in that Facen was once a Big Shoulders scholarship recipient, which allowed her and her siblings to attend the school and ultimately support her becoming the school's principal.

"To see her now running this community outreach and this school, seeing enrollment gains, and serving not just students but the broader community ... it warms my heart," Hale said.

Volunteers from Friends of St. Francis and school alumni were also on hand to make the event a success. "It's all hands on deck, but it's one of those things that people want to be a part of," said Ramirez. "I watched a little girl walk past with a doll in her hands, and she had the biggest smile on her face. It just gives me chills because that is what this season is all about."

Facen grew up in the neighborhood and her family would stand in similar lines at food pantries. Now it's come full circle.

"I always joke that I don't have a life outside of St. Francis de Sales but I mean it in the most beautiful way. I could have chosen to go anywhere else but when I got a chance to come home and do this work it means all the difference," Facen said.

"I tell my kids all the time in this building that no one is going to come save the Southeast Side. We have to do the work and support the community and our kiddos."