Bakersfield is participating in a national charitable tradition for the first time this holiday season, bringing “Giving Machines” to the community that turn simple donations into acts of kindness for local nonprofits.
Community members gathered outside the Condors Arena on Wednesday night to learn about the vending machines designed to give rather than take. Bakersfield will be one of just 128 cities in the country hosting the charitable vending machines.
“Instead of like getting candy or a soda out of it, instead, people will have the opportunity to donate goods and services to several local nonprofits and two global ones,” said Michelle Lord, Bakersfield Giving Machine lead…