Worldwide trafficking is a$32 billionindustry, according to a press release by KeHE. In the U.S., nearly 170,000 people are trafficked every year in the U.S., and trafficking has been reported in all 50 states, the company says. Victims are often found in locations frequented by truckers, and with more than 550 trucks driving 30,000 routes to serve retailers from coast to coast, KeHE plans to leverage the power of a nationwide team of professional truck drivers to make an impact.
"Helping to eradicate human trafficking has increasingly become a philanthropic focus for KeHE through partnerships with organizations near and abroad,"Laura McCord, executive director of sustainability & corporate responsibility at KeHE, said in the release. "By supporting organizations that focus on rehabilitation of victims, it only made sense for KeHE to expand our reach to help prevent trafficking as well."
Truckers Against Trafficking works to educate drivers to identify signs of human trafficking and how to properly report it to law enforcement officials, the release explained. KeHE has helped coordinate the training of over 600 professional truck drivers nationally, and is committing to having more drivers trained throughout the year.
Related: KeHE Holiday Show “Record-Breaking” Success KeHE Selected as Primary Distribution Partner for INFRA KeHE Cares Partners With the Children’s Hunger Foundation In Food Packing Event
"This training has promoted a lot of dialog throughout the team about what they've seen while on the road," said Jamie Danielson, safety coordinator at KeHE, in the release. "This now gives our drivers the tools to take action and potentially save a life."KeHE's foundation,KeHE Cares, has also donated funds to help Truckers Against Trafficking's cause. Issuing a call to others, KeHE wrote:Training provided by Truckers Against Trafficking is simple and free. KeHE encourages any company with a driving fleet to complete the certification program because the trucking industry has the power to make a difference.
