Contact: Jennifer Schwabauer
Phone: 805-497-4959
Email: director@mannaconejo.org
“Thank You” never seems adequate to express how grateful Manna is for the long-standing support of the community. When we ask our neighbors for help, they respond ten-fold—this year has been no different. The need for food assistance by local families, children and seniors has not diminished and neither has the generosity of the people who live here. Manna officially kicked off its Holiday Food Drive season in October. The largest number of food drives are held during November and December. The food we provide hungry families during the holiday season helps lighten their load and lets them know they are not alone—that the people in our community are here to help. It’s always heartwarming to hear stories of children—collecting food instead of presents at birthday parties—or clubs and businesses choosing to add a food drive to their holiday party instead of a gift exchange. What better way to celebrate the holiday spirit than giving a meal to a family who would otherwise go without! More than 150 food drives have been held so far this season, bringing over 50,000 pounds of food into our pantry for the coming months. And, there are many more food drives scheduled in the coming weeks. To everyone who donated or held a food drive, we thank you. And to donors like California American Water, American Water Services Company, Senator Fran Pavley, Troop Real Estate, Albertsons and National Charity League—who donated gift cards and turkey dinners for our “Thanksgiving for All” program—please know that your support, along with the thousands of pounds of food donated during November, brought a festive Thanksgiving meal to more than 1,600 friends and neighbors in need. Sadly, hunger exists even in the Conejo Valley, but with the outpouring of support we’ve seen this year, I have no doubt about the impact Manna will have in the life of a family or senior who is struggling. I wish, though, that our wonderful donors could see how grateful our clients are and hear the stories of how their generosity touches lives in ways they could never imagine. I wish our donors could see the look on a mom’s face when she realizes her kids will have weeks of warm hearty meals to eat, or comfort the single dad who broke down in tears knowing that the food he receives from Manna will enable him to pay the heating bills this winter. We at Manna are blessed on a daily basis and we extend those blessings to the people who have made Manna what it is today…a great local organization with extensive local impact. I wish you all Happy Holidays and sincerely thank you for making our holiday season happy, too. Jennifer Schwabauer Executive Director