Nov. 21, 2022-- Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful for what we have, as well as a time to help others in need. Students, staff, and district leaders are going the extra mile to make a positive impact on the greater Toms River community.

Students at Hooper Avenue Elementary School, for example, held their annual food drive in conjunction with WJRZ 100.1's annual Share the Joy event. More than 2,000 non-perishable food items were collected and will be delivered to Fulfill of Monmouth and Ocean County. All food donated by The Hoop and WJRZ will benefit the Ocean County community.

Meanwhile, Toms River School Board President Jennifer Howe and the Toms River Education Foundation helped organize and lead an initiative to donate and deliver food baskets to families in need.

Held at Presbyterian Church of Toms River, district volunteers including guidance counselors from Intermediate North (top right), students from High School South and Washington Street (bottom right), as well as folks from Intermediate East joined Mayor Mo Hill (below) and others, working nonstop from 8 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. handing out more 1,000 Thanksgiving meals, as well as weekly necessities, all provided by Fulfill.

"We are all so very proud of them!" said TREF's Dana Tormollan of the hard-working volunteers.

Additional photos of the goodwill efforts below.