Bensalem Township, local civic groups and businesses are partnering in a special program aimed at helping less fortunate members of the community.

The township public safety department and school district along with the Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions clubs and Building a Better Bensalem Together have rejoined for another Holiday Heart of a Community program at the Neshaminy Mall.

At Monday’s township council meeting, Public Safety Director Fred Harran explained that the groups would be manning tables in the mall and collecting clothing, toys, canned goods and cash donations for the needy in Bensalem.

“During this time of year, there are a lot of people in the township that don’t have money to put food on their family table or clothes on their backs,” Harran told Patch. "But it's not just during the holidays when people need help, this effort helps people all year long."

In addition to accepting donations, there will be special events involving pictures with holiday characters, first responders, police motorcycles and K-9 dogs.

Harran noted that for years these groups were all trying to help people but were “all doing their own thing” regarding charitable work in the community. He told Patch that each group would wind up seeking donations from the same businesses in the township and were ultimately working against each other. He credited Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo with “bringing the groups together.”

The effort kicked off on Black Friday and continues through Dec. 21 from 6-10 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Harran wanted to thank some of the business partners that helped with this effort, including: Parx Casino, Walmart, Kohl’s, Shoprite, Macy’s AMC Movies, the Bensalem Economic Development Corp. and Krispy Kreme.