With a significant number of students facing food insecurity, staff and local organizations have implemented initiatives to provide food boxes and pantry access to those in need.

This year's Christmas Gift Extravaganza will be held Saturday, Dec. 21, from noon until 4 p.m. at the First Gethsemane Center located at 1221 First Gethsemane Avenue in the Algonquin neighborhood. 

Last year, the nonprofit served 40,811 meals to people in need and donated 300 backpacks to children preparing for school. 

Members of Until Freedom and local volunteers came together Saturday morning to begin BreonnaCon, a four-day event that organizers are calling a "community convention."