Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi Doesn't Plan to Let Felony Charge Keep Her From Attending Upcoming Charity Event

, state Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi plans to attend her upcoming annual event supporting the Alameda County Community Food Bank.

The fifth annual Jingle Tails holiday event and food drive, set for Dec. 15 at the Oakland Zoo, (see attached PDF) will be her first official public appearance since a shoplifting scandal at a Neiman Marcus store in San Francisco in October.

Although he didn't say whether Hayashi plans on speaking at the event, Christopher Parman, district director for the 18th Assembly District, said guests will have an opportunity to discuss "legislative issues" with the assemblywoman.

"[She will also be] talking about the whole issue of hunger in Alameda County," Parman said.

Last week, invitations offering  free zoo admission were sent to residents living in Hayashi's district, which includes San Leandro, Hayward, Dublin, Castro Valley, Pleasanton, parts of Oakland and the unincorporated areas of Ashland, Cherryland and San Lorenzo. In an effort to help end hunger, guests are asked to donate a can of tuna or a jar of peanut butter at the event.

Next week,  in San Francisco, but she has been excused from attending. A San Francisco Superior Court judge will decide whether there is enough evidence to hold a trial.

Food Bank communications manager Mike Altfest said the non-profit organization is grateful for any kind of support it gets, especially during the holidays.

"Whatever she's doing to help, we appreciate it, and it helps us a lot," Altfest told Patch on Tuesday. However, he said he wasn't aware of this specific event until contacted by Patch, given that there are hundreds of food drives throughout the Bay Area that collect donations during the holidays.

The 45-year-old assemblywoman and Castro Valley resident  against her. She is accused of taking a pair of leather pants, a black leather skirt and a white blouse worth $2,445. She was released on $15,000 bail.

Earlier this week, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the department store had previously targeted her as a .