New Mexicans Donate Nearly $200K Through Cottonwood Mall Giving Machine

Donations from the Albuquerque Giving Machine supported local charities like the Saranam homeless family shelter.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 11:33pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus photograph of a mall interior, with blurred holiday decorations and a faint glow of a donation kiosk in the background, conveying the warm, community-driven spirit of the Cottonwood Mall giving machine.The Cottonwood Mall's innovative giving machine tapped into the holiday spirit of New Mexicans, raising nearly $200,000 for local charities.Albuquerque Today

During the past holiday season, a special vending machine was set up at Cottonwood Mall in Albuquerque, New Mexico that allowed shoppers to make donations to local charities for specific products and services to help people in need. The donations, which totaled over $198,000, are now being distributed to organizations like the Saranam homeless family shelter, which received more than $24,000 to use towards life skills classes, education fees, family nights, internet access, and other support for the families they serve.

Why it matters

The Cottonwood Mall giving machine tapped into the holiday spirit of generosity in the Albuquerque community, allowing residents to directly support local nonprofits and make a tangible impact on the lives of those in need. This innovative approach to charitable giving highlights the power of technology to facilitate community-driven philanthropy.

The details

The Cottonwood Mall giving machine, set up during the 2025 holiday season, allowed shoppers to make donations to specific items or services that would benefit local charities and the people they serve. The donations, which totaled over $198,000, are now being distributed to organizations like the Saranam homeless family shelter, which received more than $24,000 to use towards life skills classes, education fees, family nights, internet access, and other critical support for the families they assist.

  • The Cottonwood Mall giving machine was set up during the 2025 holiday season.
  • The donations, totaling over $198,000, are now being distributed to local charities.

The players

Cottonwood Mall

A shopping mall located in Albuquerque, New Mexico that hosted the charitable giving machine.

Saranam

A homeless family shelter in Albuquerque that received over $24,000 in donations from the Cottonwood Mall giving machine to support their services.

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What they’re saying

“The donations from the Albuquerque Giving Machine were a game-changer for us, allowing us to expand the support we can provide to families in need.”

— Saranam Representative

The takeaway

The success of the Cottonwood Mall giving machine demonstrates the power of community-driven philanthropy and the potential for innovative approaches to charitable giving to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need.