Ana’s Drive to Feed Her Community

The hum of truck engines, the shuffling of pallets and the beeping noises of forklifts all signal the start of another busy workday at United Food Bank.

Long before most alarm clocks go off, as early as 4:30 a.m., the transportation team is already in motion: loading trucks, planning delivery routes, contacting our partner agencies and ensuring every vehicle is ready for the road ahead. And by the time the sun rises, thousands of pounds of food are already on their way to serving neighbors in the community. 

This process isn’t simple. United Food Bank delivers food across nearly 20,000 square miles of eastern Arizona. This means that our transportation team delivers to our partners right down the street or travels four hours one way to reach rural communities near the New Mexico border. No matter what, the food needs to keep moving. 

One key person behind the daily operation is Ana Carreras. Originally from San Diego, Carreras began her journey with United Food Bank in 2021 as a driver. After several years and many miles driven, she advanced to the role of Transportation Coordinator. Today, her current position involves overseeing all delivery routes, managing the drivers, and maintaining the trucks, ensuring every truck is safe for the road. While she steps in for the occasional delivery or grocery store pickup, her leadership role keeps the system running smoothly.

While this work may seem daunting for many, for Carreras, these early mornings aren’t just part of the job; they give her a sense of purpose. Having experienced some challenging circumstances growing up, being able to participate in the food delivery process is one of the ways she loves giving back and sees the impact firsthand every day. She recalls one time while driving her usual delivery route, she recognized an older woman smiling and waving at her enthusiastically as the truck. While this interaction was short, it was a powerful reminder of why her work matters.

“You don’t realize how much of an effect you have on people,” said Carreras. “When you consistently come to help them, they see you as a support system. And when you can provide that for somebody, it’s very empowering.”

Carreras is also proud to be breaking barriers as a female truck driver. Since the trucking industry is traditionally male-dominated, she hopes to inspire the next generation of female truck drivers. 

“When I see the little girls, they get so excited to see me coming into a truck,” she says with a smile. “I want them to know you can do a ‘man’s job.’ You can get in a big truck, drive and feed people, and support your community that way.”

But her proudest title can’t be found on her resume—it’s being called “Mom.” Just over a year ago, Carreras welcomed her son into the world. Balancing work and motherhood is no easy task but it is worth it for Carreras. She hopes her son will follow in her footsteps and be kind to others. 

“I come from a family of missionaries and those who appreciate the value of giving back,” said Carreras. “So, my hope for my son is to continue this legacy of serving and caring for others in the community.” 

At United Food Bank, we want to recognize all the members of our transportation team for their dedication to the mission. And with September being Hunger Action Month, the many miles on the road make feeding our neighbors possible. 

 “When people see our trucks, they know we’re there to help them,” said Carreras. 

So the next time you see one of our trucks on the road, give us a wave or a honk. While you may not know the name of the person behind the wheel, chances are, they’re going to make a difference.

You may have seen this on Your Life Arizona during our Hunger Action Month. But if you haven’t, or are interested in learning what a day in the life of a truck driver at United Food Bank is like, watch the video below!