2020 Hometown Heroes

2020 Hometown HEROES Magazine LINCOLN DAILY NEWS May 14, 2020 Page 101 Truckers keep on trucking during the pandemic COMMUNITY: WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER! T hough some people can work from home during the shelter in place order, there are many essential workers in various industries still working outside of the home. The trucking industry is one example. Alicia Clark works for her family owned trucking company, Clark Transportation Inc. Alicia said, “Clark Transportation hauls mostly food grade and other essential items.” The company located near the Oasis Senior Center and Interstate 55 in Lincoln has over thirty essential employees, most of who travel coast-to-coast all over the United States. To Clark’s knowledge, most of the shippers and receivers the company picks up and delivers to are all practicing some form of safety precautions, some more extreme than others, which she finds reassuring. Clark said, “We are encouraging our drivers to be prepared before they go out over the road regarding groceries. Some employees are struggling to adapt to a lifestyle on the road in which most diners, truck stops and rest stops are closed down.” Other employees are already used to cooking in their trucks because they have mini-fridges and microwaves and can use convection ovens, crockpots, and little burner stoves. Still, Clark said it is a struggle considering all the convenience closures. For Clark Transportation, Alicia said “Our drivers are our greatest asset. We value them greatly and appreciate their constant hard work and dedication. We have a couple of them that have been with us for over a decade and really have been through it all with us, but never anything like this that has (parts of) the entire world shutdown. As a family, the Clarks are all involved with the business and must be at the shop or office every day along with several other staff members that Clark said are like family. The Clark family likes to say “we are like spokes in a wheel—if one of us is gone, things just don’t roll as smoothly as they should. Our awesome staff keeps the offices and high traffic areas cleaned and sanitized as often as possible.” In addition, Clark said the staff is often cleaning and detailing the trucks if the driver asks when they are in to be serviced. Thankfully the company has plenty of soap and sinks for hand washing. CONTINUED u