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Families are often looking for a memorable way to teach their kids about giving to others, especially during the holiday season. Light the World Giving Machines are such a simple way to educate children about the importance of helping others and it can be an entire family experience. With over 100 machines worldwide this year, look around to see if you have one near your city!
Giving Machines: Easy Way to Teach Children How to Give
If you are looking for practical ways in which your family can help others this holiday season, look no further than The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints covers all the operational costs. It truly is a meaningful way to help others and teach the true love of Jesus Christ, the meaning of the Christmas season.
Follow along for even more practical ways families can spend time together!
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What are Giving Machines?
Giving Machines are red vending machines that, instead of containing snacks, have an assortment of donation cards on display inside. When purchased, the card drops down into the bottom of the machine to show the purchasers what a difference they’ve all made together!
History of the Giving Machines and Light the World
The Light the World Christmas initiative by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints first began in 8 years ago. Its purpose is to encourage people to transform the holidays into a season of service. A year later, in 2017, the first Giving Machines were introduced as part of Light the World campaign in Salt Lake City and these charitable vending machine have been playing a critical role in helping those in need ever since. This unique giving experience has went on to raise millions of dollars for so many different worldwide (and local to the machines) charitable causes. Giving Machines have quickly become an easy way for anyone to give and follow the example of Jesus Christ.
Each year the Giving Machines partner with a variety of nonprofit organizations. These include organizations local to the communities housing the machines as well as international nonprofit organizations.
The global charities for 2024 are:
- Mentors International
- American Red Cross
- Catholic Relief Services
- Church World Service
- Save the Children
- Right to Play
- MAP International
- The Academy for Creating Enterprise
- Care
- Days for Girls International
- Lifting Hands International
- UNICEF
- iDE Global
- Water Aid
- World Food Program
No matter the religious affiliation, this is a global effort that expands to all people!
Type of Things That Can Be Purchased at a Light the World Giving Machine
Hygiene kits
Meals
School supplies
Clean water
Medical supplies
Emergency supplies
Winter clothes
Relief from natural disasters
Polio vaccines
Easy-to-clean baby resuscitation kits
And a whole bunch of different items to local charities!
Giving Machines in New York City
I first visited a Giving Machine while in New York City with my daughter. The year was 2021 and I took her to see Wicked on Broadway for her 10th birthday. We of course also had to go skating in Rockefeller Center and to see the famous Christmas tree. The Giving Machines happened to also be right there (this year the machines are in Times Square) and it was a glorious experience.
I donated 100 polio vaccines and my daughter chose to purchase 2 chickens for a family in need in a third world country. (Ivy loves animals so the chicken were a natural choice for her. I don’t think she realized what would be happening to the chickens…) It’s an experience together that I will never forget!
St. Louis Giving Machines
On a local level… the Giving Machines are back in St. Louis! Last year I had the honor of being on the committee that brought these unique vending machines to the area for the very first time. It was such a special experience and I am so thankful that, through the generosity of our community, these machines have returned for the season.
So many local charities were helped last year and I have a feeling that the St. Louis region will make this year bigger than before. It truly is such an easy way to give back and the perfect activity for the entire family to do together.
Kids really enjoy selecting an item that they would like to have donated to someone in need. And there are just so many things to choose from! My youngest swears up and down that she’s going to be a doctor when she grows up and I don’t doubt it! Naturally, she chose the healthcare products for a sick toddler at the Crisis Nursery of Saint Louis. My oldest daughter chose cuddly pajamas also for a child at the Crisis Nursery. And my son purchased 250 lbs. of food from the St. Louis Area Foodbank to feed a family in need for 3 weeks.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints generously covers all of the costs and overhead to operate the Giving Machines so 100% of every donation made goes directly to your charity of choice. Isn’t that what it should be about? Teaching as Christ did and then allowing others the opportunity to follow the example to live like Him.
The St. Louis Giving Machines can be found on the second floor of West County Center (directly above Santa) now thru December 18th.
This year’s charities being helped right in St. Louis are:
Friends of Kathy J. Weinman Shelter
I really love the local impact aspect! Get more details on these local charities HERE.
So many great things are being said about the Light the World Giving Machines. And all around the world! I’ve particularly enjoyed seeing the social media posts from the machines in Kansas City. They really know how to do the charitable vending machine initiative over there! Reels with Paul Rudd (Kansas City native) and Super Bowl Champions, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce talking about the Giving Machines in Kansas City have been all over social media. In regards to the football players supporting the Giving Machines, I think it helps that Andy Reid’s, head coach of the Kansas Chiefs, wife volunteers each year to work with the Giving Machines at Union Station in downtown Kansas City. Thank you to all of the above and to the Reid family for giving back in Kansas City!
How to find a Giving Machine near you:
Not in St. Louis? There are over 100 locations worldwide taking part in this special Light the World initiative. Find the closest Light the World Giving Machines near you by going HERE to see the locations for 2024.
Now is the perfect time to help others and teach your children about giving in a very impactful way.
Have a very merry and inspiring holiday season!
Tara
blog owner at Seeing Dandy Blog
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This post could contain affiliate links or be sponsored which means I earn from advertising. Also as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. More details here.