Imagine this: you are at a vending machine, but instead of buying a snack for yourself, you get to buy a pair of shoes for a person in need or a polio vaccine for child in a third-world country. With the #LightTheWorld Giving Machines, you’re doing just that.
Giving Machines are an incredible way to give back this holiday season to those who are in need. At each machine, patrons can use their credit card to buy items priced from $2 to $320, which include food, clothing, medicine, hygiene supplies, livestock and more. Items then get supplied to countries in need through partner charities like UNICEF, WaterAid, and International Medical Corps.
The administrative fees of the machines are all covered by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whom fund the #LightTheWorld campaign. The campaign’s initiative is to encourage people to perform instant acts of service that make a difference.
This is the third year the Giving Machines will be in service. In 2018, the initiative raised more than $2.3 million. There will be ten Giving Machine locations total, spanning from countries like the Philippines all the way to London.
“This year we will be adding new locations for our Giving Machines,” said Elder Brent H. Nielson, General Authority Seventy. “This unique way to give not only blesses the life of the giver, but also lifts the receiver in locations all around the world. Our hope is to offer opportunities to Light the World one by one.”
“These Giving Machines are an example of the big things that can happen when many people give just a little,” added Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women general president. “That is what it means to Light the World one by one—when we each give what we can offer, our little light adds to a brightness of hope.”
For those that aren’t by a Giving Machine location, the #LightTheWorld campaign’s website lists additional ways that you can give back and service your community.