Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

MEALS FOR TRUCKERS

Kamloops food truck provides free meals for truck drivers

Apr 9, 2020 | 3:32 PM

KAMLOOPS — How long has it been since Wayne Wells had a hot meal?

“About four days ago,” the truck driver from northern Alberta told CFJC Today.

Wells has been on the road for most of the week, from his home near Grande Prairie down to the South Okanagan. He was also the first customer of the day for Deanna Bell and her Cookshack Cravings food truck, who have recently started providing free meals for truckers.

“Right now, we’re [open] Wednesday to Saturday,” Bell told CFJC Today. “We’ll see how it goes if we can add another day or more hours to the end of the day. I want to be here for the truckers.”

1000 Ways to Heal

1000 Ways to Heal: Moons

Dec 10, 2024

Question of the Week

Should Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson apologize or resign after it was found he breached a section of council's code of conduct for allowing false or misleading information to be communicated?

Dec 09, 2024

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Donald has it wrong - again

Dec 08, 2024

Greg Munden, of Munden Ventures, coordinated the meals. He’s been in contact with different individuals and organizations throughout B.C. who wanted to make sure those delivering our supplies were taken care of. One of those organizations was the Chevron Parkland card lock, located on Copperhead Drive.

“They said [they would] make every card lock [they] have in the province available if we wanted to expand the initiative,” Munden explained.

Expand, it has. Ocean’s Trailers donated $2,500 to feed truckers in Kamloops and Chilliwack, while an individual donor contributed $2,500 in Kelowna. From there, it’s continued to gain momentum.

“Tolko Industries out of Heffley Creek has agreed to sponsor this truck right after the Ocean’s sponsorship is done,” Munden said. “You know, they’re not having a good time of it with things themselves, but they’re stepping up and recognizing the important jobs these truck drivers are doing, and giving back.”

Bell has been cooking up her regular menu for the truckers who have stopped while getting a feel for when demand is highest. She’s also been taking to requests.

“We’ve been trying to figure out when they’re coming and what they want,” she said. “Yesterday, they said spaghetti and meatballs, so I’ll probably be making that this week, too.”

Judging by the number of customers lined up well before noon, the free meals are hitting the spot.

“It’s nice — nice that these companies do this while we’re out here because we’re trying to do what we can to keep things moving,” Wells said.