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Here’s what people have donated so far to #LightTheWorld Giving Machines in 2021

Missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints volunteering at the New York City Giving Machines on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Families begin picking out items to donate at the Giving Machine in Gilbert, Arizona on November 29, 2021. Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
San Fransisco 49ers offensive tackle Corbin Kaufusi claps as the ribbon is cut for the Oakland Temple Hill Giving Machines on Saturday, November 27, 2021. Credit: Kourtney Jarvis
Denver residents stop by the Giving Machine at Writer Square in Denver, Colorado, November 23, 2021. Credit: Amy Johnson, for Church News
Carter Wirig, Alexis Avila, Brooklynn Wirig and Parker Ahlander in front of the Las Vegas Giving Machine, November 2021 Credit: Sue Gurlides

People love to give chickens. They are one of the most popular items purchased so far at the Giving Machines in 2021.
When Giving Machines had opened by the end of November in 10 U.S. cities, local officials and Church leaders in those locations encouraged people to use the annual effort to buy items for people in need through participating charities.

An estimated 265,000 people have purchased items so far. Donations are at $3.7 million as of Tuesday, Dec. 21, according to Newsroom.
Here are some of the items purchased in the last few weeks: 

  • Chickens — 52,000
  • Beehives — 2,500
  • Goats — 3,600
  • Meals for individuals or families — 992,000
  • Polio vaccines and other immunizations for children — 529,000
  • Acre of sweet potatoes — 300
  • Essential clothing and shoes for individuals — 13,000
  • Shelter and beds — 4,900
  • Personal care/hygiene kits — 15,000
  • Educational (tutoring, tuition, materials and job skill training) — 16,000
  • Water pumps — 1,800
  • Install a well — 800
  • Rainwater storage tanks — 1,600
  • Healthcare, eyecare, dental and counseling services — 6,700
  • Boxes of produce — 9,000

Read more: Photos and quotes from each of the 10 U.S. cities with a Giving Machine in 2021

“Who doesn’t love giving chickens away?” said Carter Wirig, a high school student in Henderson, Nevada, who raised money in a school fundraiser to use at the Giving Machine in Las Vegas. “I’m so grateful my school gave me the opportunity to visit the Giving Machine this year. I had a lot of fun serving with my friends.“
His sister Brooklynn Wirig added: “You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy a soccer ball and make someone really happy.”

Carter Wirig, Alexis Avila, Brooklynn Wirig and Parker Ahlander in front of the Las Vegas Giving Machines, November 2021
Carter Wirig, Alexis Avila, Brooklynn Wirig and Parker Ahlander in front of the Las Vegas Giving Machines, November 2021 | Credit: Sue Gurlides

Also, 100% of all donations go directly to each participating local and global charitable organization. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints covers all expenses associated with the initiative, including credit card transaction fees.
At this point in 2019, the last year the Giving Machines were operating, approximately 145,000 people had donated $3.5 million. By Jan. 10, 2020, the Church reported a total of $6.3 million from the Christmas initiative. The Giving Machines were not operating in December 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This season, the Giving Machines are open through Jan. 2, 2022 in these cities: Las Vegas, Nevada; Nashville, Tennessee; Honolulu, Hawaii; Orem, Utah; Salt Lake City, Utah; Oakland, California; Gilbert, Arizona; Denver, Colorado; Kansas City, Missouri; and New York City. 

For more details about sponsors or locations and how to donate without visiting a Giving Machine, visit ChurchofJesusChrist.org/comeuntochrist/light-the-world-2021/giving-machines.

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