The First of the Christmas Season’s Light the World Giving Machines Open in Kansas City

The first of the 2022 Christmas season’s Light the World Giving Machines are now operating in Kansas City, Missouri. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has used these giving-focused vending machines since 2017 to help the poor and needy around the world.

Camille N. Johnson, the Church’s Relief Society General President, participated in Wednesday’s unveiling at Crown Center in downtown Kansas City.

“[God] is asking us to care for those in need — and that is the core of Relief Society,” President Johnson said. “Sometimes those that are in need are right next door, and other times we have opportunities to care for those that are in need on a global basis. This offers us that opportunity. Local charities will be benefited. Global charities will be benefited. And in doing that, the light of the Savior is carried around the world.”

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Giving Machines include items such as groceries, fresh water, child vaccines, beds, hygiene kits, farming equipment, medical care, job training, educational supplies, beehives and livestock.

“I just think [these machines are] so special because it's not just [helping] locally, although that’s important,” said Jenny Doan of Missouri Star Quilt Company, who made a special quilt to raise money for Wednesday’s kickoff event. “If you can give a goat to a family who needs a goat — it’s not something you could wrap up normally and put in a box. But here you have the opportunity to do that. And those kind of things change people’s lives.”

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This is the second consecutive Christmas season that Giving Machines have been placed in Kansas City. People can use the machines to donate to any of the following eight charities:

• African Girls Hope Foundation
• Children’s Mercy Hospital
• Jewish Vocational Services
• KC Shepherd’s Center
• Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund
• Reconciliation Services
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
• Veterans Community Project

“Kansas City is the perfect place for the Giving Machines to come,” said Tavia Hunt, whose husband is CEO and chairman of the board of the Kansas City Chiefs, an American football team. “People [here] really do love to give back and raise up other people in this community. I’m excited for this community to rally around Giving Machines and raise a record number of funds to really make an impact here in Kansas City and around the world.”

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Since 2017, total contributions to Giving Machines have reached US$15 million. As part of its ongoing global humanitarian efforts, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints covers all operational costs, ensuring that 100% of every donation goes to the charitable cause of your choice.

Giving Machines will operate in 27 other locations. They are listed below by date.

• November 16: Flagstaff, Arizona
• November 17: Las Vegas, Nevada and Manila, Philippines
• November 18: Gilbert, Arizona
• November 19: Honolulu, Hawaii
• November 21: Houston, Texas and Mexico City, Mexico
• November 22: Glendale, Arizona; Orem, Utah; Salt Lake City, Utah
• November 25: Cebu City, Philippines; St. Augustine, Florida
• November 26: Brisbane, Australia; Denver, Colorado
• November 29: Calgary, Alberta; Nashville, Tennessee; New York City, New York; Seattle Washington; Washington, D.C.
• November 30: Sacramento, California
• December 1: Birmingham, Alabama; Guatemala City, Guatemala
• December 3: Gila Valley, Arizona
• December 6: Atlanta, Georgia
• December 13: Charlotte, North Carolina
• December 17: Tucson, Arizona
• December 19: Charleston, South Carolina

Those unable to visit a physical machine can participate online at LightTheWorld.org/give.