Eateries should pitch in leftovers

Today I read three articles in the Acorn about Manna. What a fantastic organization.

Why don't all of the restaurants and companies that sell food use them?

Last week my daughter, sister and I walked into a bagel shop on Moorpark Road at 4:55 pm. I ordered a bagel and waited as my daughter used the restroom.

At exactly 4:57 p.m. the employee and the manager started throwing away all of the leftover bagels from that day.

I was shocked; how could good bagels be thrown away?

I asked how many bagels they threw away on a daily basis and they said between 100 and 150.

I asked why they didn't donate them, and they didn't have a good answer.

They said if someone wanted to pick them up at 5 p.m. they would gladly give them to a good cause, but they weren't going to go looking.

Upon returning home I went through the yellow pages and called all of the listed bagel stores in the San Fernando Valley, Camarillo, Oxnard and Ventura, and all of them said they donate their leftover bagels.

I hope that all of the cookie stores, bagel shops, restaurants, markets, etc. are donating their nonperishable leftover food to organizations and not throwing good food away.

Please, let's be aware of those less fortunate than we are. Times are hard right now, and nothing should be taken for granted or wasted.

I did leave a message on Manna's voice mail telling them about this situation, so hopefully they will contact the bagel shop on Moorpark Road. Eileen Harris Newbury Park