Suzette Cook
Photos courtesy Basketball Cop Foundation
Weary truckers are putting in overtime as they transport much needed supplies throughout the U.S. and Florida. And with limited food available due to restaurants shortening hours or rest stops not having more than vending machine food available, they are eating hot dogs and snacks from 24-hour gas stations.
Basketball Cop Foundation Founder (BCF) and Gainesville Police Officer Bobby White decided to take up a collection and use it to feed truckers and support local restaurants in Alachua County.
Once a week, White and other GPD officers and Alachua County Sheriff deputies are handing those meals out at the I-75 rest stop at Paynes Prairie.
“We appreciate you all,” the face mask and glove-wearing deputies and officers tell the truck drivers.
One surprised trucker told the officers that he had been eating Vienna sausages, candy, and sardines for a whole week. “Hey we appreciate that,” he told the officers.
“In addition to feeding the truckers, what we’re trying to do is support some of our local restaurants and food businesses that are struggling right now,” White said.
So far, Cowboyz BBQ and Catering and Papa John’s Pizza have supplied meals at a discount rate for the cause.
“A lot of you have donated to the BCF specifically for this. Last week we served the truckers 100 pizzas,” Officer White said about community members pitching in. “We plan on doing this every week as long as the funds permit it.”
White said it costs about $600-$800 a week to feed about 100 truckers.
Anyone interested in supporting the weekly meal drive can donate at https://www.basketballcop.net/donation-page or reach out to Officer White at www.basketballcop.net or basketballcop@gmail.com.
Editor’s Note: Photos courtesy Basketball Cop Foundation