Mobile Giving Machine Spreads the Joy of Giving in Additional Locations

For the first time a mobile Light the World Giving Machine is available. On Tuesday, December 6, 2022, the Light the World Mobile Giving Machine made its third of five stops across the southeastern United States, opening at The Interlock in northwest Atlanta, Georgia. Attendees enjoyed a vocal performance from Abele Abbey of The Bonner Family and an appearance by actor Brandon Quinn from the Netflix series Sweet Magnolias.

Elder M. Andrew Galt, an Area Seventy (regional leader) for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Atlanta City Council member Byron D. Amos spoke at the ribbon cutting. Representatives from Wellspring Living, The Children’s Haven and Church World Service, several of the charities benefiting from the mobile machine donations, were also present.

Tiffany Bird of Atlanta said, “The mobile machine is such a unique way to help my children experience giving to others. Seeing the products in the machines, they realize how there are families and children around them that do not have basic daily needs. And this is an opportunity for them to do something about that.”

Eight local charities and Church World Service, a faith-based global charity, will receive the contributions collected by the mobile machine during its four-week tour to the following five locations:

St. Augustine, Florida: November 25–29

Birmingham, Alabama: December 1–4

Atlanta, Georgia: December 6–11

Charlotte, North Carolina: December 13–17

Charleston, South Carolina: December 19–23

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St. Augustine, Florida

The mobile machine made its debut in St. Augustine, Florida, on Friday, November 25. Michael Lavoie, a local leader of the Church of Jesus Christ in Jacksonville, Florida, led the ribbon-cutting ceremony with Santa and Mrs. Claus. City officials and representatives from St. Gerard Campus and Miriam’s Basket also participated.

A simple and interactive donation at the machine enhanced the Christmas spirit for Black Friday shoppers. “The day after Thanksgiving we had the opportunity to go to St. Augustine and visit the Mobile Giving Machine. It was such an amazing experience,” said Marissa Daniels of Jacksonville, Florida. “I’m so glad we [did it] with our kids. They were so excited to pick out items to donate!”

Donations gathered in St. Augustine benefit St. Gerard Campus and Miriam’s Basket, local charities.

Birmingham, Alabama

The mobile giving machine traveled to Birmingham, Alabama, on Thursday, December 1 where it gathered donations for four days. Elder Quinn S. Millington, an Area Seventy (regional leader) of the Church, led the ribbon-cutting ceremony along with Kathy Boswell, vice president of community engagement for The World Games 2022. Lindsay Gray, executive director of Bundles of Hope, also participated. “We are so thankful to … have this experience with the Light the World Mobile Giving Machine. A reverse vending machine [is unique]. I wish I had thought of it!” Gray said. “The mobile aspect of traveling to different cities brought us support from [donors in] St. Augustine and now, maybe, they will go out and support their local diaper bank. That’s what we love about this.” Bundles of Hope will receive the Birmingham contributions from the machine.

On Saturday, December 3, approximately 110 volunteers gathered at the Mobile Giving Machine in Birmingham to participate in a service project for Bundles of Hope. Participants separated large diaper packs to create smaller bundles for mothers in need. Over 15,000 diapers were repackaged to serve approximately 300 babies. The Briarwood Christian School Key Club also donated an additional 2,000 diapers.

“I feel the best way to share the true meaning of Christmas is to give what you are able to those in need,” said Samantha Plough of Mount Olive, Alabama.

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Charlotte, North Carolina

The Light the World Mobile Giving Machine will stay in Atlanta until Sunday, December 11, and then travel north to the Carolinas. Charlotte, North Carolina, will host the machine from Tuesday, December 13, through Saturday, December 17. Miss North Carolina 2022 Morgan Romano will lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, December 13. Donations at this location will support the Carolina Refugee Resettlement Agency, a Jewish nonprofit, and Loaves & Fishes/Friendship Trays.

Charleston, South Carolina

The machine will end its inaugural journey in Charleston, South Carolina, where it will remain from Monday, December 19 through Friday, December 23. Funds gathered in Charleston will go to the Palmetto Project.

Those who wish to support others in need through the Giving Machine but are unable to reach a machine location in person may donate online.