During the 2023 Christmas season, a record number of Giving Machines were available to the public as part of the Light the World initiative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The red vending machines were set up in 61 locations around the world, allowing more people to donate important items and aid.
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Visitors were invited to spread the light and love of Jesus Christ by purchasing items to benefit people in need while keeping the year’s theme — “Let Your Light Shine” — in mind.
Among the items visitors could purchase were meals, shelter, clothing, healthcare, education, crops and livestock. Visitors could even purchase one of every item in the machine by typing in 777.
From November through December, approximately 600,000 individuals visited Giving Machines in Australia, Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines and the United States, contributing US$10.4 million in donations.
2023 Highlights
- More than 2 million meals will feed the hungry and 1,800 communities will receive fresh water.
- Thousands of children will receive important education materials, including 11,000 backpacks or boxes of school supplies; 2,100 laptops or tablets; 2,200 scholarships and 9,300 reading books and textbooks.
- More than 660,000 children will be vaccinated against polio and measles, and 8,500 hygiene kits will be distributed to refugees and others.
- More than 2,000 abuse survivors, veterans and seniors will be provided safe shelter while they regain control of their lives.
- Thousands of children will receive necessary clothing items, including 7,500 pairs of shoes, 6,800 pairs of socks, 4,100 items of winter clothing, 1,700 coats and 2,200 pajamas.
- More than 17,000 goats, 125,000 chickens, 2,100 beehives, 1,500 pigs and 1,400 sheep will provide families with long-term nutrition and income potential.
In 2023, nearly 250 local and global nonprofit organizations participated. The nonprofits receive 100% of the contributions, which will be used to fulfill every donor’s purchased item.
Since the Giving Machines first launched in 2017, more than US$32 million has been collected.
These donations bless the lives of many around the world. Many of the same challenges exist in our own communities wherever we live, and there is a lot we can do through our direct service in those causes. The initiative encourages volunteers to serve in their communities year-round.