On Thanksgiving no less. See below to assist. — Ed.
The cost of opening a new businesshas left three adults and 14 children from Pocatello homeless andliving in tents in the woods for the past three weeks. With the coldweather, this hardship is about to get worse for the two familiesliving in tents in the Mink Creek area.
James Armstrong, father: “Well, we’re actually living an emergency. We’re up in the canyon trying to take care of ourselves.”
JamesArmstrong’s family was forced to move out of their home and into thewoods after he opened an emergency supply business in town.
JamesArmstrong, father: “I couldn’t get any funding for this and it put mein a bind, so I had to move out of a house I was renting.”
Armstrongnow spends the days working at his store, but then heads back to thecampsite at night to be with his 10 children – and another family withfive children that he is helping take care of with the help of his wifeand oldest daughter Rachel.
Rachel Armstrong, daughter: “Put all your layers on – put all that on before you get out or else you’re gonna get really cold.”
Armstrongsays the kids are adjusting to the cold weather. He says they haveplenty of supplies, blankets, and food that was prepared before theyleft their home.
But while they have already endured twosnowstorms and two rainstorms, Armstrong hopes they find a permanentplace to live before it snows and gets too cold for the youngerchildren.
James Armstrong, father :”Shelter – permanent shelter- is where we have the problem. You know, rent for 10 to 14 kids and afamily is rather high, and being a start-up business, I can’t afford$1200 a month rent.”
Armstrong also said that all the kids arebeing home-schooled and have been for several years. He says he spokewith SEICAA Wednesday and they hope to have the two families moved intoa trailer by the end of the week.
If you can help these families in any way, you can call the Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency at (208) 234-0966.