By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

POST FALLS — Through it all — hail, lightning, wind, rain and even sunshine — the smiles remained constant.

More than 100 residents in need from throughout Kootenai County received free groceries at Post Falls City Hall on Friday courtesy of benevolent funds from Post Falls Police and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue and businesses.

"I'm really grateful for this," said Spirit Lake's Sarah Drake after making her way through the line. "A lot of us are working people, but we still don't have a lot of money for groceries. This makes a difference for us, and it's good quality food."

About 25 volunteers, including police, fire, city and Avista Utilities employees and elected officials, handed out fresh produce, bread, light bulbs and other items to residents of all ages.

Items not picked up during the giveaway were taken to the Post Falls Food Bank.

"It was heartwarming to personally hear the people in line for food express their gratitude and see their smiles," said volunteer Katie Vaughan, a police employee. "Everyone helped one another with genuine kindness and dignity. Children helped their moms carry filled bags and boxes. Volunteers helped people with walkers move along the food line then load up their vehicle."

Vaughan said, based on the recipients' testimonies, the food will all be consumed.

"A few people shared what they were going to make with the food, like applesauce," she said. "I heard one woman in line tell the volunteers how she was going to use the carrots to bake a carrot cake. Then when she got to the apples where I was helping, she shared how much her kids enjoy eating them. It made me smile to hear the joy in her voice."

Charlene Holbrook, PFPD's communications director, said a young girl was so excited when she received a box of doughnuts.

"Her smile made my day," Holbrook said.

KCFR Division Chief Steve Isaacson said it was refreshing for emergency responders to see residents under a different circumstance.

"We generally see people at their worst and here we get to see them in a positive way," he said. "It's fun to see people who are happy."

Isaacson said an elderly couple gave him a hug when he took groceries to their vehicle.

"That spoke volumes to me," he said.

Post Falls City Councilman Lynn Borders, who has assisted with local efforts from Press Christmas for All to the former Post Falls Needy Family Fund for more than 40 years, called volunteering at the food giveaway "the thing to do."

"I'm a people person who loves to help out," he said. "That's why I'm here."

Julie Humphreys, the community relations manager at Second Harvest, which offers the mobile food truck events, said 55,000 people in the region receive food assistance every week despite an improved economy.

"Many people have gone back to work, but they're barely getting by," she said, adding some have settled on lower-paying jobs.

Humphreys said groceries are among the first budget cuts for many struggling families when they have other necessary costs such as medicine or rent.

"They're living on the edge so they come asking for food, a basic need," she said. "It's difficult for many to ask for it."

After Borders placed a box of food into a car trunk for Coeur d'Alene's Linda Larson, Larson paused to reflect what the help means to her.

"When you're on disability, money is tight and there's bills to pay, it's a real blessing," she said.