Bundled up in their winter coats and hats, the Wilkins family sits down for a hot meal. Mom and dad have been out of work for more than a year and there are six kids to feed, clothe and shuttle to school.
"You know, kids are asking questions a lot around this season -- a lot of answers we don't have," mother Shirree Wilkins said.
The kids are used to taking care of each other. The oldest even holds the youngest in his lap. But like any kids, they still yearn for new toys, fashionable clothes and a special meal -- just a touch of Christmas magic.
"Christmas is a great holiday," eight-year-old Keiye Wilkins said.
On Tuesday, she had a great holiday. Volunteers packed downtown's non-profit soup kitchen, Loaves and Fishes. One of them is 10-year-old Princess Jackson. The child star has acted in commercials and movies, and on Christmas Eve, was on a mission.
"My dad is in the HPD, a police officer, and he told me that he saw the homeless people, they had blankets but they didn't have socks," Jackson said.
"Doesn't matter how old you are! So she seen the vision and we were behind her all the way," HPD officer Sheldon Theragood said.
It's a simple gesture. The socks aren't expensive or especially unique, but they're gifts. And for families like the Wilkinses, they mean warmth, both literally and figuratively.
"It's a blessing when people offer help especially during this time and season. It helps a lot," Shirree Wilkins said.
Find Pooja on Facebook at PoojaLodhia-Reporter or on Twitter at @impoojalodhia
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