Five Good Things: Food, glorious food and Bendix homebuilders
Whether it's hauling food, homes, or hope, trucking is here to help in this week's Five Good Things blog.
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Cummins brings the market to food deserts
Cummins Advocating for Racial Equity (CARE) has partnered with the Indianapolis-based Eskenazi Health Foundation and other community partners to bring fresh and healthy food options to the food deserts (places in urban areas where it's difficult to buy affordable or good-quality fresh food) in the city through the Fresh For You Market on Wheels program.
“One of the things I am most proud about is our commitment to the communities we serve, and not just through financial investments. Our employees go into the communities we serve and meet the needs of the community where they are,” said Jennifer Rumsey, Cummins chair and CEO. “The Fresh For You Market (FFYM) on Wheels program is a component of Eskenazi Health Foundation’s systemwide strategy to address the underlying social factors affecting the health of our most vulnerable neighbors. After initial startup support from Eskenazi Health, Cummins was the first private organization to express belief in this mission by making a philanthropic gift, which gave Eskenazi the ability to raise the additional resources needed to start FFYM on Wheels.”
The FFYM on Wheels is a customized reimagined former Indianapolis public transit bus, powered by a Cummins engine. The 40-foot-bus has been transformed to contain a single-aisle grocery with coolers and freezers filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, and canned and boxed goods. The bus is also equipped with a kitchen where an on-board chef prepares hot, made-to-order food.
See also: Cummins names Rumsey as board chair following Linebarger retirement
The outside of the bus has a large monitor to display cooking demonstrations and healthy eating tips on how to utilize food items found on the bus. There is also a retractable awning, providing a place to gather and eat. The market will travel on a regular schedule to four different neighborhoods weekly.
The Eskenazi Health Lifestyle Health & Wellness Team will also facilitate on-site nutritional education programs and cooking classes.
Amanda Bowman, an Indianapolis resident and Eskenazi Health patient, shares her experience: “The Fresh For You Market on Wheels is not only accessible, it is affordable. I was given vouchers to purchase the food I needed. The affordability of the Fresh For You Market on Wheels allows me to spend over the voucher limit at times when necessary. Additionally, the vouchers help me meet other basic needs such as paying for housing and utilities. The Fresh For Your Market on Wheels program has helped ease many stressors I have and continue to face throughout my cancer treatment.”
Bendix employees help build home for Indiana family
Bendix’s volunteers used permanent markers to inscribe messages and well-wishes on beams and walls after building the frame of the house. The house was then loaded for transport and donated as a Habitat for Humanity home in Huntington. Construction will be completed on the home later this year. Working alongside the Habitat team, employees will also have the opportunity to individually participate in the final build on the actual homestead site.
The effort marks the sixth year Bendix has built homes near its North America sites, after taking a hiatus from 2020 to 2022 because of the pandemic. The Huntington home is the 16th completed to date.
The company also contributed $15,000 for materials required to complete the build.
“From here in Huntington, we’re proud to help shape tomorrow’s transportation together with our customers and partners across the commercial vehicle industry,” said Eric Meehan, Bendix plant manager in Huntington. “We’re also proud to help shape the future of this community together with our friends and families. Huntington is home, and Bendix is immeasurably grateful to be a part of it.”
Love's donates $100,000 to St. Christopher Fund
“Professional drivers are a vital part of the nation’s economy and industry, and they mean so much to us at Love’s,” said Jenny Love Meyer, Love’s EVP and chief culture officer. “It’s essential to support them during hardships, and we’re proud to support St. Christopher in its efforts to be there for drivers at their most challenging times.”
The relief fund helps cover expenses, including rent, mortgage, utilities, insurance and vehicle payments, when drivers are unable to work due to injury or illness. It also provides free health and wellness programs for professional truck drivers.
Love’s first donated to St. Christopher in April 2020, when it gave $100,000 to aid drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Thank you, Love’s Travel Stops, for fueling help and hope through your generous and continued support of St. Christopher Fund’s mission to be a safety net for drivers when illness or injury takes them off the road,” said Shannon Currier, director of philanthropy for St. Christopher. “Together we help truck drivers get back on their feet and back on the road.”
Wreaths Across America honors J.B. Hunt with Prout Giving Award
As part of its 10th Annual Stem to Stone event, national nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) recognized J.B. Hunt as the seventh recipient of the organization’s James Prout Spirit of Giving Award.
The James Prout Spirit of Giving Award is named in memory of James Prout, owner of Blue Bird Ranch Trucking of Jonesboro, Maine. Prout was the first person to volunteer to haul wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C., when the program was in its infancy. The award is given semi-annually to a deserving professional truck driver, company or, organization that has supported charitable causes in a way that will affect generations to come.
In 2022, J.B. Hunt (No. 4 on the for-hire FleetOwner 500) handled 42 wreath shipments, of which 32 were intermodal loads. These loads were shipped to the West Coast via rail, helping WAA save on over-the-road load capacity and cost. In addition to J.B. Hunt donating their services for the intermodal loads, they were instrumental in securing support from BNSF and Norfolk Southern.
“This will be J.B. Hunt’s 10th consecutive year to participate in Wreaths Across America, and each year it sparks a lot of excitement among our employees,” said Brad Hicks, EVP of highway services and people at J.B. Hunt. “Supporting our veterans is a privilege, and it’s important that we remember their sacrifices made to preserve our freedoms. We are very humbled to receive this special recognition from Wreaths Across America and look forward to continuing this tradition.”
The trucking industry is vital in helping WAA move the mission to more than 4,000 participating locations across the country each December.
“Without the transportation community and companies like J.B. Hunt, who provide generous donations of time, equipment and services, our mission simply would not be possible,” said Karen Worcester, Executive Director of WAA. “The work that our Honor Fleet partners do year-round encourages new participation and support for the mission, not only in their organization but in the industry. They are true friends, for which we are grateful.”
This year, National Wreaths Across America Day will be held on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. It is a free event, open to the public.
Driver named Highway Angel for extinguishing fire after truck crash
Around 4 a.m., Carr was driving on Interstate 80 through Laramie, Wyoming, when she witnessed a truck veer off the road into the grass, then overcorrect and roll over on its right side.
“I think he probably fell asleep,” Carr said. “The fuel tank ruptured on the truck when it was sliding down the road.”
Carr, who has been driving a truck for 15 years, stopped to help. She noticed a small fire by the diesel tanks, so she quickly extinguished it.
“I was the only one that was right there,” she said. “The fire really scared me. I had no idea if the driver was going to be trapped. Luckily this little bitty fire extinguisher did the job.”
Though it was a dangerous situation in the middle of the night, she never hesitated to come to the other driver’s aid.
"I would want someone to stop for me,” Carr said. “Hopefully anybody would stop in that situation. It’s the right thing to do.”
