Truck Drivers Deserve a Little Extra Love These Days

Truck Drivers Deserve a Little Extra Love These Days
Our truck drivers exemplify the drive that keeps our stores moving. We’ve always known this, but during these difficult and uncertain times, knowing we can count on them to continue to provide our stores, our communities and our families with what they need when they need it is even more reassuring. Their heroic efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Our team members, customers and communities have rallied around these road warriors and shown their appreciation. Since we shared the story of one of our distribution centers providing meals for the over-the-road truck drivers who make deliveries there, we’ve heard even more stories from the road about ways our truck drivers are being honored. Here are a few stories that I wanted to share with you in the hopes they inspire you to show a little extra love to the truck drivers serving your community.

-Rick Keyes,




Meijer President & CEO

Meijer Truck Driver Gets Birthday Surprise

Don Pratt, a Meijer fleet driver for nearly 10 years, was driving down US-31 north of Muskegon, Mich. one morning in early April when a driver pulled up in the lane next to him and matched his speed. When he looked over, the driver rolled down their window to give him a thumbs up while the passenger cheered and applauded him out of their window.

Little did those customers know that their show of support would mean a little extra to Pratt on that day — his birthday. “It made me feel very proud to be a driver for Meijer,” Pratt said.

Those customers also couldn’t have known what a particularly outstanding driver they chose to applaud. As a veteran, Pratt helps Meijer support Wreaths Across America each December by delivering truckloads of wreaths for wreath-laying ceremonies at cemeteries across the country to honor fallen heroes. He is also an avid Cub Scout volunteer.

Team Members Make Goodie Bags for Delivery Drivers

Our truck drivers face challenging times as they travel across the Midwest without access to comforts such as dine-in restaurants. Knowing this, team members started making goodie bags for the drivers who deliver the products our customers need. For example, at one Meijer store in Kalamazoo, Mich., team members prepared goodie bags full of snacks, baked goods and energy drinks with a note of appreciation for the truck drivers delivering to their store.