SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane’s first “Light the World: Giving Machine” raised nearly $228,000 for seven nonprofits during the holiday season.
The donation totals were announced today at an awards ceremony held at the Wolff Family Child Hunger Solution Center at Second Harvest. The giving machine worked similar to that of a vending machine, allowing people to pick donations to their preferred nonprofit.
Second Harvest received the largest donation of $44,205. CARE, a nonprofit that provides refugee support, received the second-largest donation.
The giving machines were installed in 125 cities across the United States, and 21 countries.
One recipient explains why significant donations like these are crucial for nonprofits.
“Grants are not as plentiful as they used to be. So, the funding from the Light the World initiative is just so amazing and so unexpected,” said Julie Farley, founder of Project Beauty Share.
The giving machine also helped spread awareness about the nonprofits.
“It’s an easier way for us to connect with our community as well. So, people know that we’re here. The people who donated to us now are a little bit more invested in us now,” said Jessica Southwick, executive director at Teen & Kid Closet.
Organizers will know in two to three weeks if the giving machine will return for the 2026 holiday season.
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