Manna food bank needs more supplies

KIDS HELP MANNA- After reading about the local food bank, Manna, needing donations of cash and food, Devin Walton, a local girl, decided to help organize a bake sale with some of her friends. They raised $80 for Manna. Two days later they had another sale and raised $60. Then Devin read a second story in the Acorn, and she donated the money she had raised for watching a neighbor's house while they were on vacation. Thanks to Devin, $222 and some food will be coming to Manna. Manna, the Conejo Valley food bank, is at an all-time low in supplies due to an unprecedented need of its services and a related downturn in donations.

The food bank is feeding more people, including those from higher socioeconomic positions, and receiving fewer food donations than ever before.

Manna is asking neighbors, businesses and community groups to run food drives to help fill the pantry again with donations of nonperishable foods, toiletries and baby products. Cash donations are also needed.

The food bank especially needs supplies during the summer school break as low-income families provide two additional meals per child per day with the loss of the subsidized breakfast and lunch program through Conejo Valley Unified School District.

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers HELPING HUNGRY PEOPLE AGAIN- Oak Park resident George Annino stands among donated goods in the pantry at Manna food bank in Thousand Oaks. Annino, who organizes the annual Santa Comes to Agoura food drive, works with Manna, too. The latest donation came from the Anthony Zeolla family. Manna is hoping for other people will donate, too. Food can be delivered to 3020 Crescent Way, just south of T.O. Boulevard, west of Hampshire Road. For more information or to make a donation, call (805) 4974959.