AURORA, Colo. -- When Frank Hassan pulled into the Flying J gas station and truck stop off East 32nd in Aurora, he had just finished delivering hand sanitizer.
"This is what I do, this is my job," said Hassan, who knows his job is more important than ever.
He was waiting for more information about his next route when someone approached the cab of his truck and handed him a box: A fresh sandwich, some snacks and a face mask.
Trucking company KavKaz Express handed out the boxes as a way of showing their appreciation for truck drivers who are spending a lot of time on the road. They distributed the sandwiches and masks to any driver who wanted one, even if they were working for another company.
"These truck drivers are heroes these days and they’re delivering, they’re risking their lives, away from their families, staying up long hours, a day to deliver all these goods to us," said Ruslan Shamanov, Kavkaz Express CEO.
Shamanov said their drivers are hauling items like fresh produce and paper goods nationwide. When drivers are transporting produce and other critical items, he wants to make sure those deliveries happen as soon as possible. In some cases, drivers work in teams so they can switch shifts and keep a truck running 20 hours a day.
"We need all these products to be in stores, on the shelves," said Shamanov.