**More Than Just Trash Day: Northeast Springs Woman’s Weekly Meal an Act of Appreciation for Sanitation Crew**

**COLORADO SPRINGS, CO** – In a quiet neighborhood in Northeast Colorado Springs, Friday trash day has become an occasion for a heartwarming exchange. For the past year, resident Ariahna Whiteside has made it a weekly tradition to provide a meal or snack for her sanitation driver, Keoni Kaneshiro, turning a routine pickup into a moment of genuine connection and appreciation.

What began as a simple apology has blossomed into a cherished weekly ritual. The tradition started about a year ago when Whiteside and her family moved into their new home.

“The inspiration came from too much trash,” Whiteside explained. “We moved into this place and had a bunch of boxes, garbage bags, and too much to where it didn’t fit in the can. I felt bad one day, and I just went out there and put some energy drinks out on the trash can and introduced myself, and said, ‘Hey I’m sorry, it might be like this for a couple weeks while unpacking.’ And it has just turned into a weekly thing.”

Since that first interaction, Whiteside has ensured there is something waiting for the Apex Waste Solutions crew every Friday. The offerings vary, reflecting her passion for cooking and her desire to give.

“I love cooking in general, so it is fun for me to be able to do this,” she said. “Sometimes it’s more creative with a here’s an actual meal, or hey I’ve got a couple snacks in my pantry, or here’s a muffin I made last night.”

For Kaneshiro, the driver on the route, the gesture is a highlight of his demanding week. He expressed deep gratitude for Whiteside’s consistent kindness.

“I come by and they do that and I really appreciate it so much,” Kaneshiro said. Recalling a recent meal, he added, “Great, I ate that sandwich and I got pretty full.”

Whiteside’s motivation runs deeper than just clearing out her pantry. She believes in recognizing the difficult, often thankless, work performed by sanitation professionals. Even as a single-income family, she emphasizes that giving back is a priority.

“Even in hard times, you know we are a single family income and have been for a really long time. It doesn’t matter, I am still going to give what we have,” Whiteside shared. “I just wanted to keep it going because they are often overlooked and doing all this hard labor every day. I want to make sure they have someone who is taking care of them a little bit.”

Whiteside hopes her small, consistent act of kindness might create a positive ripple effect, inspiring others to show appreciation in their own communities. The goal, she said, is that when people receive kindness, “they act kind towards someone else in any regard throughout the day.”