Rotary Clubs, Church Youth Come to Food Bank’s Aid

For the past two weeks, Rotary Club members in the Conejo Valley have dug deep into their pockets and pantries to provide groceries to Manna, the food bank serving eastern Ventura County.

And on Sunday, canned food, toiletries, bread and dry goods were delivered to the food bank at 3020 Crescent Way in Thousand Oaks by 15 members of the United Methodist Church of Westlake Village’s Covenant Youth Fellowship.

In addition, the clubs raised more than $1,600 for the food bank, said Bill Notthoff, president of the Rotary Club of Westlake Village.

Speaking to the church group and Rotarians, food bank administrator Pauline Saterbo said her organization could not provide nourishing meals and other necessities for families and individuals east of the Conejo Grade without assistance from a variety of donors.

“It takes each and every one of us to help all the families that come to us,” she said.

More than 3,500 people are served by the food bank, which was founded in 1969 and takes its name from the Biblical reference to the food miraculously provided the Israelites in the wilderness, Saterbo said.

“It looks like we have tons of goods,” Saterbo said, while leading a tour of the single-story building in a residential area off Thousand Oaks Boulevard. “But we don’t.”

The young people said they were happy to take time out of their Sunday afternoon activities to help out those in need.

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“It feels good giving food to them,” said Amy Dougherty, 15, of Agoura Hills. “We’re helping out, and that’s good.”

Tony Cerato, group representative with Rotary International, said individual clubs routinely take on their own projects. But when the opportunity arose to help an organization that benefits the entire Conejo Valley, it made sense to get the five local clubs involved.

Three hundred members came forward with donations, Cerato said.

Saterbo cautioned that at this time of year help is still needed. Turkeys would be especially welcome, she said.

Donations to Manna may be made by calling 497-4959.

On Christmas Day, Manna is sponsoring its fourth annual Community Holiday Dinner from noon to 5 p.m. at Thousand Oaks High School, 2323 N. Moorpark Road.

Reservations are not required.

Monetary donations to the Community Holiday Dinner fund may be sent to Conejo Community Dinners Inc., c/o Los Robles Bank, 33 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks 93160.