«I don't like having to take presents like this but what can I do about it?». Anna, a real name, is 35 years old, has four young children, and is one of the hundreds of parents who, this afternoon, took the toys and Befana stockings donated by the House of Fraternal Solidarity in Sassari.

“It's getting harder and harder for me – she adds – they took away my basic income and my husband works a few hours a week. Luckily, social services help us."

Some stories are similar, others can only be guessed. "I'm not talking, I'm ashamed," says another non-EU mother who has five children and a sixth is on the way. Every morning she queues to get the food package delivered by the volunteers of Corso Regina Margherita di Savoia as well as many others who showed up today and among them a 30-year-old compatriot who is already a mother of eight babies.

The little ones choose dolls, Lego, mini-strollers, board games, taking advantage of yet another miracle orchestrated by the charity founded by Aldo Meloni. "My son is autistic - reports a woman - do you have a microscope?". "I want a gun or playstation." The requests add up, fulfilling them all is impossible.

"We try - declares Adelaide, a member of the large family of the House for 15 years - here we do volunteer work with a capital V".

Meanwhile, the parents observe the children choosing games: «Sometimes they are happier than the little ones». But aunts and grandparents also show up alone, covered up to the eyes by masks and hats, all looking for a post-Christmas gift for their grandchildren.

"We don't ask for anything - says the president of Fraternal Solidarity Aldo Meloni - we just say". Sometimes the donation goes smoothly, others less so: "We are dealing with almost four continents - continues Adelaide - and it is not easy". However, most of the beneficiaries accept the gifts with a smile and thank them, including happy children because, for once, they are satisfied in their wishes. "But it is a drop in the ocean - concludes Aldo - and the poor are always more".