COEUR d'ALENE - More than five hours after they arrived at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, the Abbey family loaded their last bundle of groceries and walked toward the parking lot.

"It was more than we thought. It was a blessing," said Richard Abbey, an Army veteran from Post Falls. "Standing in line was worth it."

Richard, his wife, Keri, and their three children spent a long Saturday at the North Idaho Veteran's Stand Down. They showed up at 8 a.m., right when the event started, and finished about 1:30 in the afternoon.

Shuffling through the fairground buildings, the Abbeys packed their cart with goods. Groceries, clothing and equipment were available, with about 250 volunteers lending an eager hand.

"The amount of volunteers was awesome," Keri said.

This year's Stand Down brought nearly 1,500 veterans to the fairground complex. Organized by various groups - including, among others, the Idaho Department of Labor, the United Way, St. Vincent de Paul, the National Guard and the American Legion - the free event served homeless and disadvantaged veterans from across the Inland Northwest.

"We've got a wide array of things available," said Robert Shoeman, co-chairman of the Stand Down Committee (a group representing the organizations involved). "We even have doggie day care."

Veterans with pets could leave their animals at the day care, he explained, then proceed through the Stand Down. If needed, the vets also received medical attention, or sat down for a quick haircut.

At one station, Hayden's Mountain View Cyclery and Fitness fixed up run-down bicycles. Inside the food court, a hot meal was served.

Housing, food stamp and counseling services were available, too.

"I think it's phenomenal," said Milt Carvell of Newport, Wash., an Army vet. "This is my first time to a stand down. There's a lot of good stuff. Very pleased with the results."

Groceries were piled on tables or stacked in boxes - canned goods, vegetables, pastas, fruits and snacks. The Stand Down Committee purchased much of the food, using funds donated by area businesses.

Second Harvest of Spokane also supplied a large stockpile of groceries.

"A community event ... absolutely," Shoeman said.

Browsing racks of donated clothing, many veterans picked out shirts, pants or jackets. Veteran's Affairs furnished a store of military surplus gear, including sleeping bags and backpacks.

"We always like to say, 'It's a hand up, not a handout," Shoeman said. "It's a way to say thank you to all the veterans, and realize that the family are a big part of that."

Alex and Abbee Maxwell pushed two loaded carts on Saturday. The couple is homeless in Coeur d'Alene, and Abbee is expecting a child in September.

"It's awesome. I never expected this," said Alex, who served in the Air Force.

He had never attended a Stand Down event before. The event's many services and friendly volunteers were not what he was expecting.

And his growing family needs, well, a little bit of everything.

"I didn't think it was anything like this," Alex said. "I had no idea they give clothing and food and all that away."