Dinner, movie and a donation? This vending machine offers hope instead of snacks
A new vending machine at the Richland Queensgate Fairchild movie theater doesn’t sell snacks. It offers hope and help to local nonprofits this holiday season.
For the first time, the Tri-Cities will host a Giving Machine, which offers donors the opportunity to select a need to help raise money for local organizations.
The options range from $10 for sports equipment for children to $25 for transportation support for youth experiencing homelessness and even $75 for mental health counseling.
There are five Tri-Cities area nonprofits participating, as well as some global organizations such as Care and Water for Good.
Locally donors can support the Boys and Girls Club of Benton and Franklin Counties, Safe Harbor, Grace Clinic, Lutheran Community Services Northwest and Grace Collective.
Prosser High School graduate, and New Orleans Saints head coach, Kellen Moore and his wife Julie signed on to help spread the word about the initiative.
“One of the best parts is 100% of donations go directly to charities that you choose, no overhead. Just help right when and where it’s needed,” Kellen Moore said in an announcement video. “Let’s show what the Tri-Cities area is all about: the generosity, the community and the heart.”
Julie Moore said in the video that their family has used the machines to bond and teach their children the importance of helping others.
“It’s been a great way to teach our kids what it really means to give, and that even a small donation makes a big difference,” she said.
Grace Collective co-founder Amanda Lorraine said donations will help their organization continue to offer lasting hope and help to women in need.
The organization, formerly known as Grace Kitchen, is a job training program that helps women in poverty and those who have been exploited, abused or trafficked build the skills they need to create a better life for their families.
“When you come down to the Giving Machine, this is an amazing opportunity to walk beside some of the most vulnerable women in our community,” Lorraine said.
Giving Machines
There will be two Giving Machines be at the theater through Dec. 10 and then they’ll move to Spokane for the rest of the holiday season.
The machines will be in 126 cities in 21 counties on six continents this season.
Light the World, an initiative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, launched the program in 2017. This year they’re partnering with 12 global nonprofits and 600 local nonprofits in the cities selected.
In 2024, donors purchased nearly 500,000 items from the machines.
Queensgate Fairchild Cinemas is at 2880 Lincoln Landing.
About the nonprofits
Safe Harbor - Since 1998, Safe Harbor Support Center has helped thousands of children in the Tri-Cities who are experiencing homelessness, abuse and neglect. Not only do they run the area’s only shelter for teens, the nonprofit also helps strengthen parenting skills and helps families form healthy, supportive connections.
Lutheran Community Services Northwest - LCSNW partners with individuals, families and communities to provide access to a variety of mental health and behavioral health services. Those services range from youth mental health to aging and independent living and crime victim services.
Grace Collective - Founded in 2020, Grace Collective offers hope and opportunity for lasting change for women survivors of poverty and exploitation. Their 18-month training course is a paid, on the job certification program that helps equip women with practical job skills and essential life tools. They also offer personal development help through trauma-informed care, financial literacy, case management, peer support and more.
Boys and Girls Club of Benton and Franklin Counties - Every school day, hundreds of children across the Tri-Cities area head to a Boys and Girls Club location for after school programs. Students get help with their schoolwork, learn life skills, connect with their peers and have great experiences.
Grace Clinic - Since 2002, Grace Clinic has been the only free clinic in the Tri-Cities. The clinic helps low-income, uninsured patients with medical, dental and mental health care. In 2024, they had about 8,700 patient visits, including 900 dental patients and 750 mental health sessions. They also helped about 1,300 families with food.
Care and Water for Good - These two are international nonprofits. Care is dedicated to ending poverty and world hunger, and Water for Good works to increase water across the globe.
This story was originally published November 25, 2025 at 5:05 AM.
