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GREENSBORO — Donning a huge grin, Jeff “Hillbilly” Cain leaned on his walking cane inside an empty warehouse Saturday morning and had his portrait taken.

It’s the first professional snapshots the 53-year-old Army veteran said he has had taken in years.

And just maybe, he says, his “family” would be kind enough to hang that photo on the walls inside that old building.

“It’s nice to get it done and everything,” said Cain, who said he lives in a tent made from trash bags in the woods outside the city.

“I have no one to give it to. I hope when Liz gets her office done — she can hang photos of all of us in there as a family.”

Cain’s family members are the clients of the Interactive Resource Center, a nonprofit day center that assists homeless and near-homeless people with a variety of services. Liz is Liz Seymour, who helps run the center.

Cain was one of dozens of people who had a free portrait taken inside the center’s future home at 407 E. Washington St. as part of the global “Help-Portrait.”

The program, held worldwide in 55 countries Saturday, encourages photographers to find people in need, take their photographs and deliver the prints as gifts.

“It’s part of giving back and doing something good during the holiday season,” said Joey Seawell, who, with his wife, Jessica, took the portraits.

“The majority of them have said they’ve never had a photo taken like this or ... 'It’s been 20 years since my last photo.’ It’s awesome to say we are (helping).”

The photos will be distributed at a Dec. 23 party for children of clients at the center.

“It feels good and I hope it gives some encouragement to others,” said Teresa Hughes, 31, who had her portrait taken.

Hughes recently turned to Greensboro Urban Ministry for help after losing her job.

“(The portrait reminds me) I can keep my chin up and I know this isn’t the ultimate end and that things are going to get better,” she said.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com