If you are in need of food assistance you are not alone—some 47 million people across America struggle with hunger every day and more than 20,000 live right here in the Conejo Valley. Getting food into the hands of those who need it is at the core of Manna’s mission — “To feed hungry people in the Conejo Valley.” For more than 40 years, we have acquired and distributed millions of pounds of food to friends and neighbors in need throughout the Conejo Valley.
In recent years though, the face of hunger has changed. Today, there is an unsettling number of working families and working poor, who in spite of being employed, sometimes in more than one job, are unable to make ends meet.
Manna serves those in need in the 101 corridor cities from the Calabasas Grade to the Conejo Grade and provides direct food/grocery assistance to individuals and families struggling with hunger. Through our “choice-model” Community Food Pantry Manna’s clients are able to choose from a wide variety of basic food and grocery items to help them through difficult times.
- What To Expect
- What You'll Need To Bring
- What You'll Receive
- How Often Can I Come?
- Wait Time
- Why Doesn't Manna Feed The Homeless?
Manna is here to help individuals and families struggling with food insecurity regardless of their situation. On your first visit to the pantry you will be asked to fill out a short questionnaire, provide a photo ID and a recent (within 60-days) utility bill as proof of residency. Subsequent visits will only require a photo ID. Manna serves only those cities along the 101 corridor between the Calabasas Grade and the Conejo Grade. We do not serve Camarillo, Moorpark, Simi Valley, or other cities in Ventura County.
As a nonprofit organization, Manna is required to track certain information regarding the population we serve. This information is used to supply potential donors and grant making entities with demographic data only. Client in-take forms are kept strictly confidential and will never be shared. Over 95% of the food Manna distributes is donated by the community and varies from day-to-day. Food distribution is on a first come first served basis. Manna does encourage community food drive coordinators to emphasize shelf-stable non-perishable foods in their food drive promotions as a way for Manna to consistently offer items that can be used to make a nutritious meal.
Manna is located on a residential street in the “Old Town” area of Thousand Oaks where parking is limited. We ask that when you visit the pantry you respect the privacy of our neighbors, be kind to fellow pantry visitors and obey the “NO MANNA PARKING” signs along the street. Additional parking is available on nearby side streets.
If you are a new client please click on “What To Expect”. If you are a returning client, we ask that you bring your photo ID each, and every time you visit the pantry.
We also ask that you please bring your own shopping bags.
The pantry offers a large selection of bakery, produce, dairy, meat, canned, boxed, and other staple items suitable for making a warm and hearty meal. Pantry shelves are restocked throughout the day to maintain quantity and variety.
More than 95% of the food Manna distributes is donated by the community and our grocery partners, and varies from day-to-day. Food distribution is on a first come first served basis.
Clients may receive food every 14 days. If more frequent food assistance is needed, we ask that you contact the Cal Fresh Coordinator at FOOD Share. They will be able to advise you on long-term food assistance programs.
FOOD Share – (805) 983-7100
Manna is a community based, mainly, volunteer-run food pantry in the heart of Thousand Oaks. Due to the small size of our facility, we can only escort a limited number of clients through the pantry at a time. Please be patient, wait times, especially during the holiday season can be several hours.
Although Manna’s core mission is “To Feed Hungry People in the Conejo Valley” many of our pantry items have storage, refrigeration, preparation and cooking requirements that make them unsuitable for those who are homeless. As a partner in the social services community, Manna makes every effort to connect the homeless with the appropriate agency. If you are currently homeless and in need of help please contact:
Lutheran Social Services
80 E. Hillcrest Drive, Suite 101
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
Office: 805-497-6207
Fax: 805-497-2607
Or, call the United Way’s 2-1-1 “First Call for Help” line to get referrals of agencies near you. They will not only have listings of other food pantries, but can also direct you to agencies that provide services in housing, employment, health care, counseling and more.
Manna Food Bank
Founded in 1971 by a group of people who felt that no person should ever go hungry in the Conejo Valley.
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