Giving Machine now open at Westfield Galleria at Roseville

Roseville families and Sacramento Kings mascot Slamson celebrated the season of giving early with the official opening of Light the World Giving Machines at the Westfield Galleria at Roseville on Nov. 16. From Nov. 16 to Dec. 10, the machines located in the mall's Promenade area will accept donations for specific items such as food, hygiene and even livestock such as chickens or goats. Specific items to donate can be selected via a touchscreen on the Giving Machines. "We're really excited to host the Giving Machine again this year," said Westfield Galleria Senior General Manager Jeff Richardson. "It was a huge success last year." According to Richardson, their Giving Machine location is one of 26 across the nation, which is a "pretty special" opportunity. The Giving Machine raised more than $330,000 last year, according to Richardson, who is determined to surpass it this year, saying, "We weren't the number one out of 26, but I think we can get there, right? … Let's beat that $330 this year!" Slamson had the honor of unveiling the Giving Machines as the crowd chanted, "Light the world!" Slamson also had the opportunity to make the first purchase on the Giving Machine, with Giving Machine Director Bruce Anderson's help. Families then lined up to make their digital contributions. "We are so grateful for the community's support of our Giving Machines," Placer Food Bank Executive Director Dave Martinez said in a press release. "These machines are a fun and easy way to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors who are struggling to put food on the table." Nonprofits such as Saint John's Program for Real Change, South County Services, First Step Communities and Placer Food Bank (PFB) joined in the celebration. In addition to the Giving Machines, PFB is offering an online food drive with a "simple, impactful, and incredibly vital" way to donate, according to a press release. "Donors can choose to donate a preselected amount of food or create their own custom donation," said the release. Online donations can be made at donate.placerfoodbank.org/for/pfbnew. A $25 contribution made online can be "transformed" into food to feed 75 people. PFB does not take physical donations "due to decreased efficiency, potential food safety concerns, and our limited manpower available for sorting," said the release. PFB highlighted last year's contributions from the Miners Ravine neighborhood in the release, saying, "In 2022, they came together to raise $10,000."