LOVE RUN TO BENEFIT SENIOR MEALS PROGRAM.

Byline: Dan Page Daily News Staff Writer

Meals on Wheels delivers more than 30,000 nutritious hot meals a year to homebound senior adults in the Conejo Valley area.

The program, administered by Conejo Valley Senior Concerns, runs on the strength of its volunteers and financial backers and a lot of love.

On Sunday, area runners, walkers and strollers can share their love for Conejo Valley's older citizens - and enjoy an invigorating morning outing - as part of the third annual Love Run, benefiting the nutrition program.

``Those individuals that are participating in the Meals on Wheels program need the help,'' said Frances Prince, executive director of Senior Concerns.

``These are people who are unable to prepare meals for themselves and have no one to prepare their meals,'' she said. ``It helps keep them independent. It keeps them out of long-term care. It keeps them in their homes.''

Prince estimates the number of meals served by Meals on Wheels in Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park has grown about 65 percent from five years ago. She expects the nutrition program will serve close to 200 different seniors regularly by year's end and estimates that 72 percent to 73 percent of the participants are low- to very-low-income seniors.

The local program's annual budget totals about $120,000. Sunday's fund-raiser is expected to raise $19,000 to $20,000, according to Prince.

The Love Run was first held three years ago, spinning off from an annual walk conducted by area seniors to support Meals on Wheels.

``We used to do what we called the Senior Stroll,'' Prince said. ``We had that for about four years. That was a group of seniors who would get pledges . . . so much for half a mile.''

The event, which already had support from the Thousand Oaks Auto Mall, grew into the Love Run on the strength of additional corporate sponsorship. In addition to the auto mall, Prudential Securities, California Water Service Co. and the California-American Water Co. now provide financial and other support

for the event.

In addition to the corporate support, a team of 29 runners from auto mall businesses is participating in this year's Love Run, Prince said.

THE FACTS WHAT: 1996 Conejo Valley Senior Concerns Love Run. The 10K and 5K races and one-mile Fun Run/Stroll benefit the Meals on Wheels program serving Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park.

WHEN: Registration begins at 7 a.m. Sunday.

WHERE: GTEL Building, 2801 Townsgate Road, Westlake Village.

ENTRY FEES: $15 for 10K, 5K or both. $12 for Fun Run/Stroll. Entry fees are tax deductible.

INFORMATION: [phone].