Five area organizations announced Tuesday they are working together on a one-day, communitywide collection of furniture, clothing, appliances and other goods to help needy families and individuals.

Mustard Seed Furniture Bank, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, St. Vincent de Paul Store and Vincent Village Inc. will team up for the March 19 event.

It is the first time the organizations have pooled their resources.

Many non-profits began looking at ways to stretch their resources through cooperation as the recession hit a couple of years ago.

“The economy took a turn and some services had to be cut, so as a solution to that we decided to work together,” said Capt. Alex Velasquez, administrator with the Salvation Army. “Each agency is doing a little more of what their expertise is and referring a little more.”

The collection event will be from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Mustard Seed, 3636 Illinois Road.

Donated clothing should be labeled baby, child, adult or professional so organizers can get the items to the proper agency.

The groups ask that donations be clean, in working order, and free of rips, holes, stains, animal hair and cigarette burns.

There will be people helping unload furniture and appliances.

“Of course we need the materials, especially bath towels and bedding,” said Suzie Jordan, executive director of Mustard Seed. “We want the community to realize that all of us work together.”

The project is partly supported by a grant from the Foellinger Foundation.