Pocatello homeless shelter gets ready for 11th annual homeless encampment event

Would you sleep outside in December? Well, that is exactly what Aid For Friends, a homeless shelter in Pocatello is asking the community to do on December 2nd.

During the 11th annual Homeless Encampment event, community members will sleep in cardboard boxes and huddle around a fire for the night at Caldwell Park.

“The Encampment demonstrates what our community would experience without Aid For Friends,” says Aid For Friends Executive Director B.J. Stensland. “On any given night, 30 to 50 people are sleeping in the shelter. Otherwise, they would be on their own and probably be sleeping outdoors in the cold. Aid For Friends addresses the needs of homeless families and individuals with a warm shelter and vital supportive services,” she added.

Additionally, Aid For Friends will try to raise $25,000 for the shelter during the event.

“I do not think people in the Portneuf Valley realize how large the homeless issue is,” commented Aid For Friends volunteer, Kim Carlino. “So this awareness campaign that we have also raises money and brings it to the forefront of it. If you drive down Center street you have to see us,” she commented about the upcoming encampment event.

Participants will also take an outdoor survival class prior to sleeping outside on December 2nd.

If you want to collect pledges for the event or register, click here.