Five-year-old Riley Schranz has a secret stash of snacks and treats in her Seward home, but they aren't for her.
Every Thursday and Friday, when the garbage and recycling haulers arrive at Riley's home, they're greeted with crackers, cookies and cakes straight from Riley's drawer full of goodies.
“They get hungry, too,” Riley said.
The now-weekly tradition started at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, but has continued, much to her mother, Jacquelyn's, surprise.
“We didn't think it'd last this long,” Jacquelyn said. “We thought it'd be a quarantine thing, but she still does it. We always have to have our garbage man snacks.”
The leaving of treats soon turned into interactions with the haulers. Riley now wanders out to the curb when they arrive to have a conversation about whatever comes up that day.
“We talk about what I have at my home, my friends and about my baby brother,” she said.
Jacquelyn said these interactions have allowed a typically shy Riley to become more comfortable and social.
“She's just in general a shy person and to see her go up to the guys and talk to them has really helped her come out of her shell,” she said.
The 5-year-old's gesture has made an impression on those who receive her treats. Recently, both the garbage and recycling crews dropped off gifts for Riley during their weekly pickup. From the garbagemen, she received a stuffed unicorn and llama, a washcloth and outdoor toys. They also brought her a miniature garbage truck for her birthday. The recyclers gifted her a squishy cupcake toy and money for Dairy Queen and let her pull the lever to dump a load of recycling into the truck.
Riley said she liked the gifts, but is much happier being the deliverer.
“I am always happy to give them stuff,” she said.
Riley doesn't think this ritual will lead to a career in trash removal but is more than happy to make a difference for those who have.
“I like to see the smiles on their face and when they're happy,” she said.
