Manna is expanding its hours on Tuesdays to help serve more people who come to the local food bank for assistance.

Manna, at 3020 Crescent Way, just south of Thousand Oaks Boulevard, is now open to distribute food to those in need from 1 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays; from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays; and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Donations can be dropped off during the same hours and also from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Historically, the demand for Manna's services has been greatest in December, but January this year saw an increase of 160 clients over December. February and March continued with about the same high numbers visiting the food bank, said Manna director John Gorham.

"We expect the need to stay at that level or increase," Gorham said.

About 80 percent of new clients are middle-class people who've never sought assistance before, he said.

"They don't know what to do or where to go to get help, but they know about Manna, so they come here first," Gorham said.

In addition to providing food, Manna helps those in need find other charity organizations that can also help them, he said.

"They've always been selfsufficient before and now, many of them single moms with mortgages and car payments, find themselves out of work with no buffer zone. It's heartbreaking," Gorham said.

Manna now especially needs diapers, peanut butter, jelly, cooking oil, one-pound boxes of sugar and canned chili.

Home-grown produce is also appreciated, he said.

Those wanting to assist can collect food for Manna.

One way is to obain a list of its current needs by calling (805) 497-4959, then standing outside supermarkets and asking customers to donate those items, Gorham said.