Do you have nonperishable food items in your pantry that you could donate?

If so, then pack them up and head over to Food 4 Less on Hammer Lane any day from Friday, Nov. 17 through Sunday, Nov. 19 for the San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) 25th Anniversary of Stuff the Bus Food Drive.

This weekend they will collect food donations from community members and local organizations in support of those who face food insecurity.

“This is something that is very near and dear to our hearts,” said Maximilian Cao, supervisor of marketing and customer engagement for RTD. “We are more than just a public transit agency. We are also part of this community, and we’re driven by pride and giving back.”

Cao described this food drive as community, impactful and generous.

“This year’s event, is more crucial than ever, especially when everyone is feeling the effects of rising food prices and the food banks are reporting that they are seeing more families coming and seeking assistance for the first time than any other year,” Cao said.

What items can I donate?

Donations such as frozen turkeys, frozen chickens and frozen ham as well as nonperishable items are what the food bank is hoping to gather, Cao said.

Those who make a frozen turkey, chicken, or ham donation will be entered into a raffle for a $50 gift card. There will be two winners, he added.

Last year, RTD collected more than 18,000 pounds of food. In 2010, they collected over 40,000 pounds with the help of multiple partners and donors. That was the most food that they had ever collected, Cao said.

For their 25th anniversary, they are hoping to break that 13-year-old record.

How to donate?

If you can donate, make your way to Food 4 Less at 789 W. Hammer Lane in Stockton from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, Saturday, Nov. 18 or 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19.

They will help you unload your donations or you can “stuff the bus” yourself.

If you can’t make it to Food 4 Less this weekend the University of the Pacific will also be hosting a food drive from 4:30-9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20 at the Alex G. Spanos Center on 1178 Larry Heller Drive in Stockton.

“The University of the Pacific is offering free admission to both their Men’s and Women’s Basketball game for anyone who donates five or more non-perishable food items at their location,” RTD said in a statement.

You can also donate daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., hours may vary per location, at Stockton Community Medical Centers until Friday, Nov. 17.

For monetary donations visit npowebdonation.networkforgood.org/stuffthebus.

Who does the collected food go to?

The food you donate will be distributed to members of the community who attend the Emergency Food Bank Stockton/San Joaquin Thanksgiving food giveaway from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds.

“We can’t do it without RTD. We really couldn’t, we would have to turn around and probably purchase additional turkeys to feed the need that is within San Joaquin County,” said Alesha B. Pichler, community relations manager for the Emergency Food Bank Stockton/San Joaquin. “Their support of the food bank for the past 25 years does not go unnoticed.”

Community members start lining up around 1 a.m. for the food bank giveaway. However, Pichler recommends people to get in line as early as 6 a.m. instead. The distribution starts at 8 a.m.

The food distributed will include turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing and vegetables, she said.

“It’s basically a Thanksgiving dinner in a box,” Pichler said.

Pichler said the food includes what’s collected from RTD and what the food bank has been collecting for the past months.

To receive a food box you must present a food bank ID or a photo ID and proof of San Joaquin County residency such as a PG&E or water bill with your name and address, Pichler said.

The Emergency Food Bank will also be holding another food giveaway on Tuesday, December 19 at the “same time, same location, same foods.”

This will be with the help of the December “Turkey Brigade” a fundraiser by the firefighters’ union and the Stockton Police Officers Association.

Community support

For the past seven years, Anne Swehla Garcia, a kindergarten teacher at Julia Morgan Elementary School has collected more than $44,000 to buy turkeys for the food bank.

Something she started a few years ago when her friend Jillian Murphy a board member at the time of the food bank mentioned they needed turkeys.

“I started just collecting a few bucks from friends,” she said. “I (donated) like 12 turkeys the first year.”

She’ collected $6,170 this year. She used $525.36 of the money for 264 cans of cranberry sauce, something she found out the food bank was in need of after calling them, she said.

She does this for one reason.

“Because people need to eat. People in America shouldn’t be hungry, people anywhere shouldn’t be hungry. I’m grateful that they trust me and I’m grateful that they see the need and they know that we can help fill a tiny little spot,” Swehla Garcia said with tears in her eyes. “Just grateful for their support and the fact that they’re willing to help people that they don’t even know.” 

The rest of the money will be used at Food 4 Less to purchase turkeys during RTD’s Stuff the Bus Food Drive.

Another supporter of the food drive is the Greater Yosemite Council Boy Scouts of America.

“We’re supposed to do it. That is our way of scouting, we’ve got to help other people at all times,” said Robin Wilson, Greater Yosemite Council Scout executive and CEO. “But it’s always a good thing for the kids to learn that the community is always in need.”

The Boy Scouts go door by door a week prior to RTD’s Stuff the Bus Food Drive placing door hangers and letting the community know they will be back on Saturday, Nov. 18 to pick up any food items they would like to donate. They drive around, pick them up and drop them off and help stuff the bus.

“We just ask for them to give from their heart from their pantry that they already have,” Wilson said.

Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers community news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha. To support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.