Manna, a food bank that's provided groceries for those in need in Thousand Oaks and surrounding communities for more than 30 years, may lose its home.

Nearby property owners Sharon Fluxman and Elan Dorriz have appeared at several recent City Council meetings supporting what Manna does- - but asking that they do it somewhere other than a residential neighborhood.

Fluxman has said that she's repeatedly asked the city to protect Manna's neighbors from what she described as ugly storage containers, food left outside in 100degree weather, rats, trash, noise, traffic and day laborers, but she hasn't gotten a response.

She pointed out that Manna doesn't have the specialuse permit the city requires for it to operate in an area zoned residential; she said the city is showing favoritism and that it's unfair.

The nonprofit's executive director, John Gorham, said after the council meeting that Manna is in the process of applying for the special-use permit and should have all the papers in by the end of this week. He's been in charge of the food bank for about one year.

Gorham denies there are rats at Manna. He said those who are complaining once offered to purchase the Manna property and were turned down. They own four properties in the area, including one next door to Manna.

That newer two-story house contrasts with the old, run-down, one-story house hat Manna uses to give food to the needy who might otherwise go hungry.

"Twenty-one years ago the city was ready to give Manna a specialuse permit, and nobody applied for it," Gorham said.

Now he's scrambling to provide photographs, blueprints and other items needed to get one. Once the city receives the application it will take a while for it to be processed and go through the public hearing system, he said.

"Until our neighbor complained, nobody noticed we didn't have a special-use permit," Gorham said.

Frank Lussier, vice president of an engineering company, has offered to donate the architectural services needed to apply for the permit. Without him and others who have volunteered their services, Gorham said he doesn't know what Manna would do.

"I've been involved with helping Manna for over 30 years. I remember when Mary Hunn started it in her garage," Lussier said. "Helping the community is our way of giving back."

The donations Manna gets from charity groups such as the Kiwanis, Rotary clubs, Optimist clubs, women's groups, National Charity