Giving Machines return to Kansas City for the holidays: ‘Pathway to helping people’
Full story airs Nov. 30, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - If you’re visiting Union Station this holiday season, there are vending machines with a twist now open: The Giving Machines.
There are 107 Giving Machines across the country this year. Since 2021, Giving Machines have been a big part of Kansas City’s holiday seasons.
“In the past three years you have here in Kansas City raised over three-quarters of a million dollars for charities here in Kansas City and around the world,” said Jeremiah Morgan.
It’s a vending machine, but it’s not filled with snacks or drinks—it’s filled with cards of items you can donate to seven local nonprofits and some global organizations.
“Some of the many things you can purchase include kids tennis shoes, a pack of diapers, winter clothing items, but one that is so very critical this time of year is an emergency motel stay,” said Community Services League President & CEO, Doug Cowan.
There are tons of items to give, including a grooming tool or textbooks for the only nonprofit grooming school in the nation: Pawsperity, located in KCMO.
Pawsperity’s Director of Development & Community Relations, Jennifer Strickland, called it a unique and fun way to get involved and give back.
“Just to be able to spread awareness of what we are doing and then the icing on the cake is for people to be able to say, ‘Gosh I think I might want to help Pawsperity! Let me see how I can do that,’” Strickland said.
The Giving Machines are now up in Union Station through January 1, 2025.
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