(Cleveland) - The 22nd annual homeless stand down was held today downtown at the Cleveland Public Auditorium.

From 9am to 2pm guests enjoyed access to social service providers, haircuts, medical screenings, live entertainment, professional portraits, breakfast and lunch, free winter clothing, personal care kits, bus passes and much more. It's estimated that several thousand attended.

Many told newsradio wtam 1100 they greatly appreciated the work of all the volunteers, and that the free services lifted their spirits.

The first Homeless Stand Down in Cleveland was held in the summer of 1991 at the Cuyahoga Community College Metropolitan Campus. Since the beginning, the event has been unique in that it welcomes all homelessness individuals and families, not just homeless veterans.

In the fall of 2000, the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless partnered with InterAct Cleveland to host a one-day homeless stand down, and since then InterAct Cleveland took the major role in coordinating the event, which at its height expanded to four full days.

With InterAct Cleveland’s closing in January 2012, the Homeless Stand Down is now housed with HandsOn Northeast Ohio and is a collaboration of over 200 faith based organizations, social service agencies, and community and corporate partners.

 Get breaking news sent to your mobile phone. Text "news" to 21095.

(Copyright 2013 Clear Channel, all rights reserved.)