Oceanside High School’s 39th annual Turkey Shoot — a district-wide food drive that assembles and delivers Thanksgiving baskets to families in need — once again mobilized students, staff and community members last week in a sweeping display of generosity.
What began as a small, student-led idea has grown into one of Oceanside School District’s most defining traditions. Lisa Communiello, the district’s student projects coordinator, spearheaded the event, alongside the nonprofit Oceanside Community Service, which partners with the schools each year to identify families and coordinate assistance. Together, they oversee a system that now spans the entire district.
Each of Oceanside’s schools contributed to the effort, funneling thousands of pounds of donated food to the high school, where student government and student council members sorted and packed the baskets. The food packages were boxed on Nov. 24, and delivered directly to homes the following day.
Depending on need, the Turkey Shoot provides complete Thanksgiving meals for between 130 to 180 local families each year. In some years, donation totals have climbed as high as 10,000 pounds of food.
The event traces its origins to 1986, when Tony Caiazza, dean of students and then advisor of the Varsity Leaders Club, approached Andy Morris, director of student projects, to create what became the first annual Turkey Shoot. Nearly four decades later, students agreed that the mission remains both urgent and personal.
Senior Abigail Maldonado, secretary of the student government’s senior officers, said the event deeply resonates with her.
“Because my family has been through some financial struggles, I know the importance of what it means to have food on Thanksgiving, and how it feels to need assistance,” Maldonado said. “It’s more than us looking good by helping out the community. It’s making sure kids, mothers, fathers, grandmas, grandpas, everyone in those homes, have something to eat.”
Maldonado said the comfort of a Thanksgiving meal carries weight.
“When you think of Thanksgiving, you think of the food that brings everyone together,” she said. “I can’t imagine letting people suffer through the pains of hunger.”
Aleena Zeejah, senior student government shared decision-maker, said the event offers perspective at a moment when pressures are high for many families.
“The whole point of Thanksgiving is being together and eating together,” Zeejah said. “To lift such a big burden on some families, especially during a difficult time like the holidays, it is so rewarding. It’s important for students our age to see this perspective of life.”
Julia Hershkowitz, a junior officer shared decision-maker, said the Turkey Shoot captures the essence of the season of giving.
“It’s my favorite event of the whole year,” Hershkowitz said. “To make someone happy and give them something so generous, it’s truly a gift in itself.”
Senior class president Max Caine said the operation highlights what the district signifies.
“Not everyone is as fortunate as others, so it’s nice to be able to help anyone and everyone,” Caine said.
The prep work unfolded over hours in the high school, where rows of canned vegetables, stuffing mixes, pasta and festive treats were organized with assembly-line precision. Students who are officers in the General Organization, or G.O. — representatives for the entire school, such as secretary Macie Bronner and president Brian Reluzco — helped lead the detailed sorting, ensuring each basket had all the makings of a full holiday meal.
“We have our entire community come out,” Reluzco said. “Our PTA, our Board of Education, our superintendent, they’re all here. We have everyone come together, and we support our community. It wouldn’t be possible without everyone involved, honestly.”
Matthew Koeppel, senior G.O. vice president, said the Turkey Shoot offers students lessons beyond the classroom.
“It’s a very unique opportunity that we get to do this,” Koeppel said. “It is rewarding for both sides. It teaches us things that we wouldn’t usually do if we weren’t part of a project like this.”
For G.O. treasurer Jeremiah McDowald, seeing the rows of finished baskets lined up for delivery was the moment that captured the scale of the operation.
“I love being part of this,” McDowald said. “We have over 100 baskets, and having people help out our community means so much.”
As volunteers loaded cars for delivery on Nov. 25, students said they hoped every family that received a basket felt the care that went behind it.
