A dispensing system for powdered treating agent for use in a washing machine. The dispensing system includes at least one supply container with a fill opening for the powdered treating agent, an agitator having a vertical rotatable shaft and blades or vanes configured to be rotated by the rotatable shaft, and a contact protection grill configured to cover the fill opening so as to prevent contact with the agitator. The agitator is drivable by an electrical drive. The contact protection grill is connected to the rotatable shaft so as to form an inseparable unit with the agitator