HOPING TO GET FOOD DONATIONS- The 10 and under Silver All-Star team is telling the world they want to feed hungry people. A girls' softball tournament over Memorial Day Weekend at Los Cerritos Middle School will accept donations of nonperishable food items for Manna, the Conejo Valley food bank. Sports fans of all ages enjoy softball, and girls and women in Southern California play with unbelievable competitiveness, which explains why college recruiters love working here. It's time to strike out hunger, and the Thousand Oaks Girls Softball Association is just the group to help. The girls are joining Manna Conejo Valley Food Bank for an inaugural Strike Out Hunger Food Drive.

"We heard that Manna really struggles in the summer and wanted to do something to help," said Dave Hayes, softball association board member.

The softball association is counting on team spirit to help families in need this summer by including a food drive during its 18th annual Memorial Day Tournament from May 22 to 25.

The tournament is expected to bring 100 teams and nearly 1,000 players ages 6 to 14 to Thousand Oaks. Organizers are asking those attending to bring tax-deductible donations of food, money or gift cards to help Manna feed those less fortunate.

The group will set up donation stations at the playing fields at 2100 E. Avenida de Las Flores.

The Thousand Oaks Acorn will also help Manna with a voluntary subscription drive. See page 4 for details.

—Nancy Needham