It’s the season of giving—and the perfect time to express gratitude by paying it forward to someone else. It’s also busy season and not everyone has time to volunteer. Good news: There’s a Giving Machine coming to San Diego’s Old Town! The unique concept is a vending-style machine that allows families to support their choice of local and international charitable causes such as purchasing clothing or baby gear for little ones, helping a child participate in a sports program, gifting a cooking class to an adult with disabilities, or providing livestock to a family overseas.

“The Giving Machine makes it easy for families to make a meaningful difference in their community during the busy holiday season,” says Kristin Samuelian, area director of Southern California Giving Machines. “At the San Diego location, visitors can donate items ranging from $5–$150, making it easy for everyone to participate at some level.”

Visitors to the Giving Machine in Old Town have the opportunity to support dozens of nonprofits, including these San Diego organizations: Gently Hugged, Corazón de Vida, Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego, Mountain Shadows Support Group, Historic Old Town Community Foundation, Rady Children’s Hospital Foundation and Scripps Health.

It works just like it sounds: Approach the “vending” machine with your family, browse the charitable causes and decide who you want to support. Consider giving kids a spending limit and letting them choose a cause that they’re passionate about. Simply pay at the machine.

There are many benefits for families to give and engage in service to others. “Service teaches kids to think outside of themselves,” says Jamie Pyatt of San Marcos.

Scan the QR code to learn more.

Join us at the San Diego Giving Machine at 5 p.m. on Giving Tuesday (Dec. 2) for a special event with Eric Weddle, former San Diego Chargers player and current high school football coach at Rancho Bernardo High School.

Nonprofits receive 100 percent of each donation, which are tax deductible. Operational costs (including any credit card transaction fees) are covered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

San Diego’s Giving Machine

Where: Old Town San Diego

When: From Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving) to Jan. 3, 2026

Friends and families in other parts of Southern California can find Giving Machines during the same timeframe at The Grove in Los Angeles, the Galleria at Tyler in Riverside, Huntington Beach Pier, and the Outlets at San Clemente.