At least 500 families will be coming to the Conejo Valley’s food bank, Manna, for Thanksgiving dinner fixings next week.

The problem: The food bank doesn’t have storage space for the gobblers needed to feed that many. So it’s going to take precision timing for new executive director Mike Mathews to get those turkeys in and out during the days before the holiday.

“We are scheduling 10 people to come in every 15 minutes so there won’t be any long waits,” Mathews said.

Oftentimes, families have to wait for 1½ hours for their orders to be filled at the food bank. But holiday meals are being handled differently, he said.

The food bank will be passing off turkeys almost as fast as quarterbacks will be throwing footballs on the special day of feasting.

“We can always use more volunteers,” Mathews said.

He’s hoping Manna will have enough turkeys.

Locally, Albertsons on Avenida de Los Arboles is having a buy one, get one free offer, and Mathews is hoping that will help.

“We like that promotion. We’re ready to accept that free turkey if someone would like to donate it,” Mathews said.

Local banks, schools and places of worship are also collecting food for Manna, so “please donate,” Mathews said.

Food can also be brought directly to Manna, south of Thousand Oaks Boulevard at 3020 Crescent Way, just west of Hampshire Road. The food bank has to throw away any food that is past the expiration date, so check the date when cleaning out cupboards.

Food drop-off times are: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays; and 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Fridays.

Monetary donations are always welcome, too.

“We also accept cash and are saying $20 buys a Thanksgiving dinner for a family,” Mathews said.

Make checks payable to Manna, and mail them to P.O. Box 1114, Thousand Oaks, CA 91358.

Boxed potatoes, fresh potatoes, fresh yams, canned yams and all the traditional trimmings are also needed.

The moment Thanksgiving is over, the food bank will go into full gear toward Christmas, Mathews said.