L to R: Lena Derksen, Lori Ellis and volunteer Tianna Pool (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By Justin Goulet

Local volunteers dishing out free coffee and snacks to essential workers

Apr 15, 2020 | 11:56 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A group of volunteers is saying thank you to essential service workers.

Lena Derksen has teamed up with Lethbridge-based Western Transportation to hand out free coffee and delicious treats to commercial truck drivers, bus operators, taxi drivers and anyone else who is out working to keep the community moving.

Derksen and her small crew are set up at the Flying J Diesel Cardlock, located at 1005 43 Street South in Lethbridge today, April 15, until about 4:30 p.m.

“This was something that was needed…these truckers are out there all the time doing what they do, and they needed some appreciation,” she told Lethbridge News Now.

“A friend of mine said that they were in BC driving and for a whole day, he had nowhere he could eat and stop. That’s not okay. I just though, you know what, this little thing that I can do, I’m going to do it.”

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Derksen said today is the fourth time the initiative has taken place, and plans are to keep it going as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. There is a possibility to expand outside of Lethbridge to Taber.

Lori Ellis with Western Transportation said she noticed a post from Derksein on Facebook detailing her community efforts, and she wanted to join in on the cause.

“We need to support our drivers and whatnot and make sure they’re taken care of, because they’re taking care of us, you know – making sure we’re staying alive by delivering all these goods.” Ellis said.

“So, I got a hold of Lena and offered to support financially and asked if I could help out with handing stuff out.”

Derksen added that anyone in the community that wants to help out can visit the Flying J Diesel Cardlock and donate, noting all donations she receives go back into purchasing more food and coffee.

“I’ve also had people come and donate muffins, I’ve had people come and donate baking. One lady made Lysol wipes that I could hand out to the truckers.”

She said if any residents want to volunteer their time, she can be contacted through Facebook to set that up. However, she is keeping volunteer group sizes low, to respect social distancing measures.

Derksen noted that the team wears masks and gloves while volunteering, and she makes sure to always wear gloves and take proper safety measures from the start of the food prepping process to the delivery at the Flying J.