This is to remind the good people of Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village and Agoura Hills as they enjoy their summer that there are neighbors who are struggling, particularly now, to feed their families.

The downturn in the economy plus the historically low donations during summer months have really strained the resources of this little house of help.

When I arrived at Manna food bank on a recent Saturday morning, there were already more than 10 people and their families waiting. They must provide identification and are checked to make sure a month has gone by. Then they are given food based on preprinted criteria that workers use to make sure the limited supplies are fairly distributed.

While I was there I had time to observe some of the most pressing needs: cooking oil in smaller bottles so everyone can have a little; boxed macaroni and cheese; peanut butter; jam; toilet paper; diapers in sizes 4 and 5; paper towels; cereal; sugar in one-pound boxes; canned chili; canned meats such as tuna, chicken and salmon; canned vegetables such as peas, string beans and carrots; canned prepared pasta such as SpaghettiOs; pasta sauce and ground coffee.

Yesterday there was no cooking oil available at all. There is not as much need for breads and pastries since markets tend to donate these items.

A great summer project for older kids is to pass out grocery bags with attached fliers that list the needed foods. Fliers can be obtained from Manna and copied. Pass them out to all the neighbors with a date for pickup time, such as a week later. To avoid much doorbell ringing, people can just leave the donations outside their door on the designated day.

When I go to the market I look for the needed food that might be on sale. Albertsons in Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park often have great weekly deals and coupons that can be downloaded from the Internet. Cash is also welcomed to buy ground meat and chicken.

Donation times are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at Conejo Valley Food Bank (Manna), 3020 Crescent Way, Thousand Oaks.

You will receive a receipt for your tax-deductible donations. You can volunteer for as little as two or three hours a month. Kathy Merriman Westlake Village

Merriman is a volunteer for Manna. The T.O. Acorn will soon give Manna a check in conjunc tion with our voluntary subscrip tion drive. Watch for details soon.