COVID-19 is changing things that we once took for granted. Whether that’s playing in a park or going to a movie theater, the way we live our lives has changed for the time being. But one thing that hasn’t changed is how important our truck drivers are, and especially right now, how important it is to support truckers in as many ways as we can.
Here at Lily Transportation, we consider our drivers like family, and we’re so proud of their hard work and bravery during these trying times. And we’re not the only ones! Here are some inspiring examples of people reaching out to support truckers and the essential work they’re doing for our country!
Free Food for Truckers
With so many truck stops either closing down or limiting the services they offer to help combat the spread of COVID-19, truck drivers may find it tricky to get the kind of meals they need to keep going during the day. And with truck driver health being more important than it probably ever has, making sure they’re well-fed and energized is an absolute necessity. Thankfully, there have been so many examples—too many to count!—of people and businesses providing food and help for truckers who may need it.
“The Iowa Motor Truck Association,” for example, “provided 1,000 complimentary boxed lunches for truck drivers at two truck stops along Interstate 80.” Trucking Info also reports that “McDonald’s has begun curbside delivery for truckers,” and Fleet Owner says that the “Taco Bell Headquarters in Irvine, Calif., has transformed into its first-ever Truck-Thru,” where they’ll be providing free meals for “for heroes of the highway.”
Even the kids are getting involved, as there’s a 13-year-old boy in West Virginia who set up a table alongside the road to give free food to passing truckers.
Expressing Gratitude
“Resourcefulness, sacrifice, resilience—are deeply rooted in the trucking industry. They’re embedded in the heart of the American trucker,” American Trucking Association (ATA) President Chris Spear said in late March. “As Americans across the country are witnessing, truckers have an enormous role in this national fight against COVID-19. It’s imperative they are empowered to keep rolling, so they can deliver those loads critically needed to get us all through.”
Charities like Truckers Relief Fund are also making sure to support truckers. They’re urging everyone to donate to truckers and their families as a “thank you” for all the work they’re doing for us.
It doesn’t stop there, either! There are countless social media posts (Transport Topics spotlights just a small percentage of them here) from people expressing their gratitude for the truckers who are keeping our country running right now. “Please let drivers know how appreciative the American people are for their tremendous effort and extra time they are putting in to get what is needed for us to get through this crazy time,” one person said. “Can’t say it enough — we love Truck Drivers! Thank you.”
We couldn’t have said it better. Thank you, truckers!
