PAS volunteers thank truckers with free meals

It all started when we heard states across the nation were shutting down the restaurants and the demand for truckers was increasing.

Having many friends and family members in the trucking industry we called some of them to check in and see how they were fairing during all of the shutdowns. That was when we heard what they were really experiencing.

Restaurants including truck stops had been shut down. Bathrooms at rest stops had been closed. Beverages, like coffee and water, that once were available at rest stops were no longer. Some places were refusing service to truckers just because they travel. Even outside seating was affected. Yes there was drive up availability in some spots but trucks don’t fit in drive-ups, and they weren’t allowed to walk up. Several would flag down a passenger car to order for them, and of course pay for their meals in addition to their own. That gets expensive after awhile. If they could find a place to park that had food service they considered themselves lucky. If they could use a restroom they had just won the lottery. Most had spent the money to install small fridges, microwaves and one burner stoves to get them through the crisis, but we just kept hearing the same thing over and over. “We are grateful to have a job, but we would like to take our break with a good meal once in awhile.”

We had a new understanding of their plight. We now considered the truckers to be a forgotten frontline. Without them, we as a populous would have nothing. How can we show our support and gratitude for their service? That is when an idea was born. “Let’s go feed some truckers”. Two bored chefs, a flat top grill and a marker to make signs with and we were underway.

We chose the Huetter Weigh Station off I-90, also known as the Idaho Welcome Center and rest stop because it had plenty of space for the trucks to come in and the bathrooms were unlocked.

We called a couple of friends and asked if they had a canopy or table we could borrow for the weekend, of course having to explain our bright idea, and the next thing we knew we had volunteers, supporters and donations.

Word spread quickly about our little plan.

Before our first event, we had a company out of Coeur d’Alene contact us, Pastries and More, and donated 200 pastries. A food truck, D-Bess, called wanting to participate. D-Bess, took the westbound rest area and we took the eastbound. Pita Pit made contact and provided 200 Pita Pit Box lunches! Messy’s Burgers jumped on board along with Wood’s Meats. The food truck and pastry company became major parties in our endeavor contributing every weekend. One weekend day turned into six!

In keeping with social distancing and safety protocols we would limit the number of volunteers on site and under the canopies with gloves and masks provided. The entire thing was funded from donations and operated by volunteers of whom we cannot thank enough.

We realized that the truckers needed a little encouragement & moral support so we implemented the “cheerleader” post. With pom poms, a chef hat and smiles we would flag the trucks in to be fed or wave to them as they traveled.

Kasey joined us on the fourth event where we learned that he can bake some incredible cookies and properly fold a fitted sheet. So naturally he was immediately placed in charge of folding the canopies. His first event was a wet one. By the time we got done his hair was so wet that the blow dryer wasn’t giving him the time of day. So in keeping with new traditions, first time shaking pompoms on a freeway exit, he shaved his head. Once wasn’t enough for him so he came back for more. This time making indescribably delicious brownies. Little did we know that summer had arrived in full force and by the end of the event had turned him into a red head.

Corey tried so hard to contribute to our cause, sadly she fed more fury & feathered creatures than truckers with her lighter than air desserts. She baked several dozen cupcakes only to run into almost every diabetic or prediabetic trucker. But she didn’t let that get her spirits down, she still cheered and shook her pom poms like a pro making every trucker feel welcomed and appreciated. On the way home is when the frosting hit the fan. One minute we have a fully loaded, secured truck bed of stuff and the next thing we knew it was raining cupcakes all along Highway 95. It was a slow motion wave of chocolate frosting and cupcakes that gravity and a strong updraft sent flying. One tray lost forever and the other decorated the bed of the truck, along with all the gear, like a 5-year-old who got into finger painting.

Our events were spectacular. We met so many beautiful people from across the world. We know that pictures and videos of our group have traveled to Sweden, Japan, Germany, Poland, India and Canada in addition to numerous states. We estimate that between the two sides we were able to feed over 600 trucks and show encouragement and our gratitude to many more.

Devin Laundrie is the director of the Panhandle Animal Shelter’s medical operations.