Neighbors Helping Neighbors: A Holiday Tradition

Like a good neighbor, Anne Swehla Garcia cares about her community.

In 2017, she launched a fundraising effort to purchase turkeys for the Emergency Food Bank. That first year, she collected enough money to purchase 14 turkeys that were handed out for Thanksgiving.

Her grassroots effort to help put food on holiday tables in November and December has raised a total of $57,350 at last count. One year during Covid, she raised $8,900 in a single season. “I don’t set a goal. I just put the word out on social media and hope for the best,” she said. “People just want to help. People are generous if you ask them.”
And her efforts are much appreciated.

“Anne’s drive is unique and special because of its consistency over the years and because she has turned it into a community tradition,” Alesha Pichler, community relations manager for the food bank, said. “Anne’s ongoing commitment to collecting not only turkeys but funds to purchase turkeys stands out. She has built strong community participation year after year, setting an amazing example for others.”

Anne’s efforts to harness her community’s generosity have not gone unnoticed. Each year, United Way of San Joaquin County has the honor of recognizing remarkable individuals whose contributions to our nonprofits play a vital role in strengthening our community through the Heart of Gold Award. For 2025, they presented this award to two exceptional individuals: Jimmy Garza, director of warehouse operations at the Emergency Food Bank of Stockton, and Anne Swehla Garcia, Lodi Unified School District educator and dedicated Emergency Food Bank volunteer.

“Anne exemplified why she received the Heart of Gold award from United Way of San Joaquin County last year,” Kristen Birtwhistle, president and CEO of United Way of San Joaquin County, said. “Her unselfish and humble dedication to families without, to those with less and her enduring support of 2-1-1 and Family Resources Center and years of service without reward make her someone we should all endeavor to become in spirit and service.”

Anne had gotten to know her fellow award winner, Jimmy Garza, over the years as she and her family and friends would load up the turkeys and take them down to the food bank. The United Way crew invited her to come to Jimmy’s award presentation but held back on their surprise for her. “I thought they were honoring Jimmy and it was very unexpected when I went down and I found out they were honoring me too,” she smiled. “My family was there to surprise me.”
But Anne doesn’t do it for an award or recognition. “I wish people knew that there’s more hungry people in this community than they know,” she said. She’s not shy about how emotional it makes her to witness the need. “It makes me cry,”

Anne’s annual turkey drive helps ensure that those in need can be blessed with a turkey in November and again in December, Alesha said. “The holidays can be a difficult time for many in our community, and thanks to Anne’s efforts, we’re able to ease the worry of how to afford a holiday meal and help families celebrate together.”
Anne’s big heart has struck a chord with many of her colleagues, friends, family, neighbors and complete strangers. One such friend is Diane Johnson, who tries to be the first to give. “Anne puts this at the forefront to make sure other in our community benefit. Her support for the food bank goes year-round and although the turkey drive seems to have the biggest turnout, she doesn’t stop there,” Diane said. “It’s commendable and an inspiration to others. Every little bit helps. The more we come together for the greater good, the more we accomplish as a community.”

With the money donors give her, Anne is thankful to count on Gerald Garfield, the director at Food 4 Less on Hammer Lane in Stockton, for his help to stretch every dollar. “I call him ahead of time and he orders for me; he always gets me the best price,” Anne said. Some years, the money goes further than other years. It just depends on the price of turkeys. Anne and her family and friends used to deliver the turkeys to the food bank but now that the effort has grown, the food bank sends a truck to Food 4 Less to pick up pallets of the turkeys that have been purchased.

Those who want to pitch in can send Anne any amount, big or small, via Venmo, Paypal or Zelle. Simply contact her via email at aswehlag@gmail.com for the best way to donate. She will be collecting for Thanksgiving through November 14 and then will collect for Christmas from November 27 to December 11.

“It’s just neighbors helping neighbors,” she said. 08