Holiday travelers and shoppers passing through Union Station will once again have the opportunity to give back in an unconventional way. The “Giving Machine,” a donation-based vending machine that turns a routine swipe of a credit card into charitable support, has returned to Kansas City for the 2025 holiday season.
The machine functions like a traditional vending unit, but instead of dispensing snacks or drinks, it offers donors the option to purchase specific items that directly benefit people in need. Choices range from blankets for refugees and winter clothing for families to boots for veterans and emergency meals for individuals unable to leave their homes. Each item is displayed with a corresponding cost, allowing donors to see exactly how their contribution will be used.
Organizers say one of the machine’s hallmarks is transparency — 100% of all funds donated go directly to the partnering nonprofits, with no administrative fees taken from contributions made at the machine.
Several local and regional charities are participating this season, including The HALO Foundation, The Science City Scholarship, and Harvesters. Additional nonprofits covering needs such as youth services, food insecurity, education, and international relief are also part of the lineup.
The Giving Machine has become a holiday tradition in several cities across the country, with Kansas City serving as one of its most visited locations due to the foot traffic and visibility at Union Station.
The machine is stationed in the main hall near the post office and will remain available to the public through Jan. 1, 2026. Organizers encourage visitors to stop by while attending holiday events, traveling through the station, or taking part in downtown festivities.
