The most meaningful things are often born out of adversities, just like the nonprofit group Trucks With Room to Spare Inc. The group is a network of volunteer truckers that donate their time and equipment to help in natural disasters. Following the vast devastation caused by Hurricane Michael, the organization was established due to the urgent need to deliver aid and relief goods to affected communities.
In 2018, founder and veteran driver Shelli Conaway found herself in Houston, Texas, with a small load on the deck headed to Florida, with Hurricane Michael fast approaching. The weather gave her some free time before she could safely continue with her journey, which she spent online. There, she saw people preparing for the destruction that was about to hit. However, no amount of preparation could have prevented the terrible ruin that the severe storm brought.
In the aftermath, many people sprung to action and quickly organized to extend help. At the same time, a myriad of other problems arose, including how to bring much-needed necessities to the hurricane-stricken areas. On top of that, the roads were almost impassable due to the storm debris.
Being an owner-operator, Shelli Conaway knew how expensive freight costs could be for these small organizations who are simply trying to help. Seeing an opportunity to assist, she tried connecting with fellow truckers, but it was not easy in the organized chaos that the disaster brought. She proceeded to make several stops along her route to pick up water and other essential goods, load them onto her semi-trailer, and head into the impacted areas.
She was one of the first people who made it in, bringing essential items. The destruction spanned hundreds of miles, and she instantly knew that restoring the area to its former state would take a long time. Like most people, she, too, thought that large-scale organizations like FEMA and Red Cross would take care of everything. However, her exposure to the frontlines has introduced her to a network of organized and inspiring grassroots, nonprofits, and ministries that mobilize for disasters. Despite having no federal funding, these groups make a significant impact and are an integral part of relief operations and rehabilitation efforts.
Inspired by this wonderful community, she felt that it was a great time for the transportation sector to give back to others. Many of her colleagues in the industry were passing through and could help these small groups by hauling one or two pallets of supplies into the area. From there, Trucks With Room to Spare Inc was created. What started out as nothing more than a Facebook group trying to connect drivers going into these areas with supplies that needed to be brought in has snowballed, and in April of 2019, the noble cause received its nonprofit status.
The organization has not stopped helping in various natural disasters since it was founded. What started out as one person wanting to help has now ballooned in size, which is a testament to the impact a single person has. In the upcoming future, Shelli Conaway and Trucks With Room to Spare Inc. hopes to onboard more volunteers in order to help more people and continue the legacy that they started.
Learn more about Trucks With Room to Spare Inc and how to join them by visiting their official website.
