Light the World Giving Machines
This holiday season, the Treasure Valley will welcome some very special guests—three unique vending machines that have the power to change lives with the push of a button.
The Light the World Giving Machines look like regular vending machines, only these special machines allow you to give for the holidays instead of “get”. Users, no matter the age or income, will get to be philanthropic and choose to give to one of five local charities or two international charities.
“This is a way to reach out and serve individuals, one by one, just as the Savior did,” said Elder Stephen J. Larson Area Authority for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “These giving machines are a way to bring more light to our already caring community.”
For the first time, these life-changing vending machines are coming to Idaho and bringing along a real life lesson for giving. Users will be able to donate a variety of much-needed items to those who need them the most. Starting November 22nd and running through December 2nd, the Light the World Giving Machines will be in downtown Boise on the Grove Plaza. For December 3rd through the 13th, they will move to the Indian Creek Plaza in Caldwell. They then will make the trip over to Meridian where they will be at the Village from December 14th through December 31st.
“This is such a wonderful opportunity for people in the community to get this unique chance to give,” said Reverend Bill Roscoe, CEO of the Boise Rescue Mission. “To have people be able to walk up to a machine and select an item they want to give, it is just amazing.”
The Boise Rescue Mission is one of the five local charities represented in the Light the World Giving Machines. They are joined by Genesis Community Health, Glocal: A Refugee Service Organization, Idaho Youth Ranch, and Women and Children’s Alliance. There will also be two international charities patrons can support: CWS: Church World Service and WaterAid. Donated items range from a dental visit with X-rays, a stroller with baby supplies, sponsoring a garden plot or donating a beehive. With 30 different options in the machine and donations ranging from $10 to $250, there should be something for everyone to get excited about giving.
Steve Davis, the CEO of one of the charities, Genesis Community Health said being selected is a game changer for their organization. “We just opened up our second location out in Caldwell and no one knows who we are. This will help us with our start-up, getting the word out to those who can’t afford healthcare, and help us with finding volunteers. It is amazing.”
The Giving Machines, sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, provide an instant act of service for people looking to help those in their community and around the world. Since 2017, more than $33 million has been donated to charities around the world (100% of the donations made at the Giving Machines goes to the donor’s charity of choice). Last year, for example, individuals and families purchased 125,000 chickens, 17,000 goats, 660,000 vaccines, more than a million meals and 181,000 pounds of food.
For those unable to visit the machines in person, donations can also be made at lighttheworld.org/give
