ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota is lending a hand to military veterans this week with an array of free services at the annual Veterans’ StandDown event in St. Paul.

On Wednesday and Thursday at the Boy Scout Base Camp at Fort Snelling, veterans can get free meals, clothing, hygiene kits, legal assistance, VA benefit information and much more.

The event is organized by Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans, which aims to help vets who are homeless or in crisis. The group estimates more than 4,000 Minnesota veterans will be homeless for a portion of this year.

Last year’s StandDown event drew more than 850 veterans.

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