Falls Twp. Police Collect 5K Items for Homeless

FALLS TOWNSHIP, PA —The Falls Township Police Department collected 5,416 items as part of the first Project DASH program for Bucks County organizations that support the homeless community.

The Falls Township Supervisors received a report about the collection at its recent meeting.

The community donated various items, including non-perishable food items, toiletries, warm weather clothes, blankets, and more as part of the Project DASH (Direct Appeal to Support Homelessness in Bucks County) collection drive.

The collection ran from Oct. 1 through Nov. 1.

At the meeting, representatives from various county agencies joined Lt. Christopher Clark and Police Chief Nelson Whitney in commemorating a successful first effort.

The police department’s Human Services Co-responder, Cara Gadzinski, said items collected will be distributed to the Family Service Association, Valley Youth House, Bucks County Opportunity Council, and PATH.

“It really helps our people who are unsheltered in the community,” Gadzinski said.

Venus Johnson, Reach Out Foundations of Bucks County executive director, said she was homeless at 16 and understands the need for support.

“No one was out there to catch me,” Johnson said, adding that she strives to give home to those without homes by referring to individuals as being “unhoused” as opposed to “homeless.”

Supervisor Chairwoman Erin Mullen applauded the collection efforts and said while attending a Bucks County Commissioners meeting, she heard that 500 families were on a waitlist for shelter.

“We all need to pitch in on that,” Mullen said, referring to helping the unhoused be placed.