POST FALLS — Ronnie Howell's spirits appeared to rise as she waited in the food line during Community Care Day.

"Did you know that you can freeze bananas and they'll still stay good?" Howell said with a smile to the woman in front of her.

The Post Falls woman was among 535 people who received nearly 14,000 pounds of free food, materials to cut energy costs, health care and other items and services on Tuesday at the Post Falls Senior Center.

"This community cares about one another," Howell said softly as she steered her grocery cart through the food line. "This will help a lot because my food stamps were switched to a different month. Normally I receive help at a different food bank, so this is amazing."

Multiple agencies and businesses participated in the event, including the senior center, Second Harvest's Mobile Food Bank, Avista Utilities, Post Falls Police, Post Falls Food Bank, Area Agency on Aging of North Idaho, Heritage Health and Community 1st Bank.

A line of more than 250 people wrapped around the senior center before the event even started.

Hayden's Alicia Hess reflected on how grateful she was for the support.

"This will really help as we've had some issues going on with the lack of money coming in," said Hess after buckling in her 15-month-old daughter Abby and loading her truck with food.

Hess said she was also pleased to receive energy-saving materials such as LED lights, plastic to cover windows and light switches with thermostats.

"They really come in handy and help low-income families," she said.

Hess said she tries to pay the nice gestures forward by doing her part to help others as well.

"I collect items from people such as clothes and household items and distribute them to pass it forward," she said.

Hess said she recently took donations to Spokane to help wildfire victims.

Hess said events such as Community Care Day go a long way toward giving folks in need a boost.

"It helps with self-esteem, knowing that there are people out there who care and want to help," she said.

Alison McArthur, the senior center's executive director, said many residents continue to struggle to make ends meet even though the economy has risen from the recession.

"Food costs are going up," she said. "Everybody is preparing for a tough winter and trying to stock up their freezers as much as possible."

McArthur said new to this year's distribution was beef donated by the St. Helens Beef Co. Other food items included bread, fruits and vegetables and crackers.

Bob Small, director of the Area Agency on Aging's Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, said he just returned from the Senior Corps National Conference where he learned that 10,000 people a day are turning 65.

That fact is a reason why there is such a need for senior services and more volunteers to administer those services.

Small said his agency had more than 200 gifts such items to assist people with reading and those were gone after the first hour of the event.

"We are amazed at the number of people who are not aware of our services," he said while manning a booth and referring to mentoring, adult protection and friendship programs.

Avista's Annette Long said it felt good to assist others with saving on energy costs.

"Some know about the energy-saving items, and some don't," Long said between handing out the gift bags. "It's nice to come face to face and educate them."