Brighten Your Day

This 6-Year-Old Gave Up Her Birthday Party To Feed The Homeless Instead

March 15, 2017

A Chicago kindergartner's decision to feed the homeless instead of receiving presents on her birthday is touching the hearts of many not only in the area, but also across the country.

Credit: Artesha Crew

Six-year-old Armani Crews had been begging her parents for "a few months" to feed homeless people in her community.

"I said, 'OK, we'll make some sandwiches,' to which Armani said, 'No. I want the same thing we'd have at my birthday party,'" her mother recalled.

Even when her father, Antoine, informed her that if she wanted to go through with this, she wouldn't get a birthday gift, the girl, whose birthday was March 5, persisted.

So the Chicago family spent about $300 buying food to deliver to homeless people in the city's East Garfield Park neighborhood. They purchased chicken, fish, spaghetti, corn, green beans, mashed potatoes, rolls, cake, cookies, fruit and water.

Credit: Artesha Crew

After Armani mentioned her plan at the family's local church, congregation members donated other items to create care packages for the homeless.

Each care package included a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, hand sanitizer and a snack, such as a granola bar.

Armani's birthday party was a success, with the family feeding more than 125 people who gathered.

In a statement, the kindergarten student told ABC News, "It was nice to be nice."

Her mother added, "She was excited. She was happy. Everybody was being fed. One of the gentleman said he hadn't had a hot meal in a long time."