**Colorado Springs Mom Serves Up Gratitude—One Friday Meal at a Time**

Every Friday morning in northeast Colorado Springs, a quiet act of kindness unfolds at the curb. For the past year, resident Ariahna Whiteside has been preparing home-cooked meals and offering drinks to the sanitation workers who collect trash in her neighborhood—an effort aimed at both expressing appreciation and instilling gratitude in her children.

What began as a simple gesture to make up for an unusually large pile of trash during a household move has since blossomed into a weekly tradition. Whiteside, a mother of two, says she was inspired by the moment to turn a one-time thank-you into an ongoing expression of community care.

“I just enjoy cooking, and this is one way I can give back,” Whiteside shared, explaining that the ritual isn’t just about food—it’s about recognition. “Even though we don’t have a lot, I want to show my daughters that there’s always a way to give.”

Each week, as the Apex Waste Solutions truck makes its rounds through her neighborhood, Whiteside is ready with a warm meal and cool drinks for the crew. One of the drivers, Keoni Kaneshiro, says the gesture hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“It really means a lot,” Kaneshiro said. “It’s not something we expect, but it’s incredibly kind.”

Beyond the meals, Whiteside sees the effort as a teaching moment for her children. By involving them in the preparation and delivery of the Friday offerings, she hopes to instill a sense of appreciation and community responsibility.

Now a regular part of the neighborhood’s rhythm, the interaction between Whiteside and the sanitation team has become more than just a handoff—it’s a moment of connection, respect, and shared humanity.

The tradition continues each Friday, a simple but powerful reminder that gratitude doesn’t require grand gestures—just consistency, compassion, and a willingness to give what you can.