Tri-State Delivery Drivers Brave Storm to Feed Residents

CINCINNATI (WKRC) – Restaurants across the Tri-State are seeing a big spike in orders from people who can’t leave their homes due to a severe winter storm. Delivery drivers are braving treacherous conditions to ensure meals reach those stranded by the weather.

“I remember at one point I came back and there were 17 orders waiting to be taken out, and you’re taking five at a time,” said Jacob Martin, a delivery driver for Adriatico’s. The storm has kept phones ringing nonstop at local eateries, with many residents unable or unwilling to venture out.

Christian Green, another delivery driver, noted the increased demand. “You definitely get a sense that there are people that can’t get to food or don’t want to have to go out and drive,” he said.

Despite the challenges, drivers like Alma Doebke are stepping up. “People that can’t get out of their house or don’t have a vehicle, yeah, we are one of the few options,” Doebke said. She described delivering in freezing temperatures, often navigating unplowed side streets and icy conditions. “You don’t know what you’re stepping into, and you hit ice blocks, and sometimes it can be more dangerous to be out of your car walking around than driving to get to their house,” she added.

Delivery drivers are also providing meals to hospital staff and first responders. “The first responders and the hospitals, they get stuck there a lot of the time. We have late-night orders, those night shift hospital orders that are key because they don’t have food services at the hospital,” Doebke explained.

As the storm continued, drivers remained focused on helping those with limited options. “We are one of the few people around that can do that if our car goes in the snow,” Doebke said. Their efforts have been crucial in ensuring that essential workers and residents alike have access to food during the challenging weather.