Volunteers will be out in force to sort clothing, toys, school supplies, backpacks, baby items, nonperishable food and other donated items at the wrap up of this year’s “Big Sunday” event at several locations in Los Angeles County and Conejo Valley on May 1 and 2.

Manna, the Conejo Valley food bank in Thousand Oaks, will sort and collect food Sat., May 1, and the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station in Calabasas will serve as a collection and sorting hub for other items on Sun., May 2. Volunteers at the sheriff’s station will sort, organize and pack donated items to be delivered to local charities in Los Angeles County. Manna will stock its pantry so it can continue distributing food to local families.

Dave Moorman, a Big Sunday organizer and member of the Las Virgenes Unified School District Board of Education, said the purpose of the event is to bring together schools, churches, temples and community organizations to collect items for charitable organizations and families in need.

The Family Rescue Center (RESCATE), which provides food, clothing, medical clinics and job training to the homeless and others in need throughout the area, and Covenant House, a homeless shelter for children in Los Angeles, will receive clothing, electronic goods and other items, while Manna will receive food donations. Animal shelters and other groups will also benefit from the event, Moorman said.

Big Sunday is organized by Rabbi Len Muroff of Conejo Jewish Outreach; Deborah Lopez, president of the Yerba Buena Elementary School Parent-Faculty Association; and Moorman.

“When we unloaded the last box of food at a newly painted Family Rescue Center (last year), we were told that they had never seen their larder as well-stocked in the entire 10 years the charity had been in existence,” Moorman said. “This year we hope to go beyond that.”

Moorman sees the weekend event as an opportunity for families to join in a worthy cause while teaching children some valuable lessons. “When parents show their kids how rewarding it is to volunteer at this kind of event, it is one of the most important lessons a child can have,” he said.

In preparation for Big Sunday, many Las Virgenes schools have collected food, clothing, backpacks filled with school supplies, and other goods needed by local charities and families. Lindero Canyon Middle School in Agoura Hills, Alice C. Stelle Middle School in Calabasas, and Yerba Buena and Willow elementary schools in Agoura Hills have held fundraisers to contribute to the annual cause.

In addition to dropping off last minute items at the sheriff’s station, the organizers could use help sorting items on Sunday, Moorman said. Participants of all ages are encouraged to volunteer.

Several activities are planned. While parents help with sorting goods, children will have the opportunity to create artwork to give as gifts to local seniors or shut-ins, he said. There will be entertainment, food, free T-shirts and other giveaways.

Last year the event raised money for the Agoura Hills Animal Shelter,. This year money raised from a lemonade stand at the sheriff’s station will support AHEAD With Horses, a group that provides equine therapy to disabled, disadvantaged and special needs children, Moorman said.

For further information, visit www.BigSunday.org.

To donate, drop off food at Manna, 3020 Crescent Way, Thousand Oaks, on Sat. May 1 or other items at the sheriff’s station, 27050 Agoura Road, Calabasas, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sun., May 2.