Local food bank Manna of Conejo Valley is searching for a new executive director.

John Gorham, who’s been running Manna the past three years, has left and is now working to establish Conejo Valley Cares, a nonprofit he said will be a “onestop shop for social services to help our residents get back on their feet in these most troubling of times.”

A new director for Manna should be named soon.

“We are actively interviewing for the executive director position and hope to have a replacement in a couple of weeks,” said Manna board of director’s president Veronica Ellias.

Meanwhile, Ellias and Manna’s other six board members—Aaron Podell, Karen Ingram, Kathy Quinn, Liz Braun, Heidi Lundgren and Scott Mazza—will manage the food bank.

“Our board is dedicated to supporting the needs of the hungry,” Ellias said. “Our client base has doubled from last year, and we expect it to continue to increase due to the economy.”

As the holidays approach, members are staying busy organizing food drives to help those in need keep food on the table.

Manna appreciates Gorham’s passion and desire, Ellias said.

“I’ve been running Manna like a ministry, and that’s how I plan to run my new nonprofit,” Gorham said. He acknowledged that he’s “not good at clerical stuff that requires keeping track of very specific numbers” that Manna needs to apply for government and charity grants.

Manna wants an executive director who will keep track of those numbers and run the charity more like a business, he said.

“They are not being unreasonable or unfair,” Gorham said.

Ellias said Manna will continue to be community-based with neighbors helping neighbors.

Organizers will also apply for foundation and government grants and subsidies to help keep the food bank’s doors open, Ellias said.

“To apply for grants we need to know our client base and keep track of the food we give out,” Ellias said.

Those interested in volunteering, donating or organizing food drives can call (805) 497-4959.

Anyone interested in applying for the executive director position, which will pay from $45,000 to $55,000 per year, depending on experience, can send a resume to kingram@lanterman.org.