THOUSAND OAKS : $11,900 in Donations Raised for Food Bank

A monthlong food drive in Thousand Oaks dubbed “Christmas in July” rustled up more than $7,000 in supplies, which were donated Friday to the Manna Food Bank.

The Conejo Valley Assn. of Realtors conducted the drive with collection sites at six local grocery stores, said Kay Runnion, the group’s governmental affairs director. An additional $4,900 was raised through a benefit fashion show held by the association last month, Runnion said.

For years, the food drive was held in December to coincide with the holidays, Runnion said.

“We changed it to July three years ago, because we felt the need was so much greater then,” Runnion said.

In fact, people are more likely to give during the holidays, although the need is greatest in summer, said Manna Administrator Pauline Saterbo.

“The schools are closed and a lot of people go on vacation so donations aren’t coming in,” Saterbo said.

Meanwhile, the agency is serving nearly 3,000 people a month in the Thousand Oaks area, and the number is growing, Saterbo said. The food bank needs dry and canned goods, in addition to hygiene products such as shampoo, toothpaste and toilet tissue, she said.

Although it may not last long, the nearly $12,000 in donations gathered by the Realtors association is appreciated, Saterbo said.

“It’s wonderful,” she said.