Offers of help came pouring in once word spread about Anna Hatfield and Gary Pinckney’s plight.
The couple had been searching for a home since Saturday after being unable to afford higher rent to stay at the former Crossroads Motel in Iola.
With no place to go, they sought refuge in a tent along the banks of Elm Creek south of Iola.
The Rev. Phil Honeycutt, pastor at Covenant of Faith Christian Center in Iola, told the Register Thursday one of his church members had secured a possible home for the couple.
“We were able to help,” he said. “That’s the important thing.”
In attempting to find Hatfield and Pinckney to tell them, however, the couple was nowhere to be found. Their tent was missing from the Elm Creek campsite Thursday.
There’s a good reason for that.
Another local Register reader who owned a vacant house on the east edge of Iola read about their plight and stopped by their campsite Wednesday evening. He took them to the house, telling them they could stay until permanent lodging was found.
“He loaded us in his truck, took us to the house, and gave us a key,” Hatfield said.
The house has electricity and running water, Hatfield said. The home also has a restroom, but no bath or shower.
It wasn’t immediately known where the couple was going to stay after the multiple offers of aid came through.
Donita Garner, executive director at Hope Unlimited in Iola, took food and other essentials to Hatfield and Pinckney
MEANWHILE, the Rev. Paul Miller, pastor at First Assembly of God and president of the Iola Area Ministerial Association, said he was contacted Thursday by another occupant at the motel who was going to have to find a temporary home after Sunday.
“She has a place to stay, but won’t be able to move there for another week and a half,” Miller said.
The woman, Joan Luken, told the Register at least 10 long-time tenants at the motel were displaced when new owners took over earlier this month.
Luken’s daughter and son-in-law were with her at the motel. They have moved to Joplin, but also have had troubles finding a home.
