**Headline:** A Weekly Feast for the Frontline: Northeast Colorado Springs Woman’s Simple Act of Kindness Nourishes Sanitation Workers

**COLORADO SPRINGS, CO** – Every Friday in a northeast Colorado Springs neighborhood, the familiar rumble of the sanitation truck is met with an act of heartfelt gratitude. For the past year, resident Ariahna Whiteside has made it her weekly mission to provide meals and snacks to the sanitation drivers from Apex Waste Solutions, turning a simple curbside pickup into a moment of connection and appreciation.

What began as an apology has blossomed into a cherished tradition. The inspiration struck Whiteside about a year ago, shortly after her family moved into their 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.”

That one-time gesture of goodwill has since evolved into a consistent display of culinary kindness. The offerings vary each week, reflecting Whiteside’s 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 Whiteside, the weekly act is about more than just food; it’s a lesson in gratitude for her daughters and a way to recognize the hard work of individuals she feels are often taken for granted.

“I just wanted to keep it going because they are often overlooked and doing all this hard labor every day,” Whiteside shared. “I want to make sure they have someone who is taking care of them a little bit.”

This commitment to giving persists even through personal challenges. “Even in hard times, you know we are a single family income and have been for a really long time,” she noted. “It doesn’t matter, I am still going to give what we have.”

The kindness has not gone unnoticed. Keoni Kaneshiro, a sanitation driver with Apex Waste Solutions, said the weekly stop at Whiteside’s home is a highlight of his route.

“I come by and they do that and I really appreciate it so much,” Kaneshiro said. On one particular Friday, the meal was a sandwich. “Great, I ate that sandwich and I got pretty full,” he recalled with a smile.

Whiteside hopes her small, consistent act of kindness creates a positive ripple effect, inspiring others to show appreciation in their own communities.

“Or they have a kindness act been brought on them,” she mused, “and then they act kind towards someone else in any regard throughout the day.”