On Wednesday, the Giving Machine returned for the holiday season as people came by to donate.
The Giving Machine is a vending machine that allows you to donate money. Instead of getting something from the machine, you're giving back to the community.
Inside the machine, they have local, national, and international charities participating that you can choose from.
Some local ones, to name a few, are the Nevada Humane Society, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, the Nevada International Center, and more.
Ryan Dobbs, from Area 74 of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, says, "The local partnerships are really key to this. It helps build the community, and it helps all of us who live in this community to understand what needs are present here in our community."
Jocelyn Lantrip, the Director of Marketing for the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, says even though Wednesday was just the opening of the Giving Machine, people are already donating.
"We were really excited to be a part of this last year, but we had absolutely no idea that we would get more than 96,000 meals from the initiative, and so many people came out and donated, and so much goes into it," she said. "There are volunteers that help the people use the machine throughout the season, and it is really magical."
Dobbs says, "What we should focus on is our shared humanity, the things that are shared with all of us, and I think this helps us to recognize those within our community who are in need and be able to fill those needs in a loving and caring way."
Lantrip also shares her message for the holiday season, saying, "The message is get involved, give in some way because it all makes a difference, and little donations really add up to big impact."
If you would like to donate to the Giving Machine, you can find it at RC Willey on Steamboat Parkway from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
