With Giving Machines operating in 61 locations during this Christmas season, more people than ever have had the opportunity to donate at the machines and therefore help someone in need.
As of Dec. 18, approximately 350,000 people have visited the Giving Machines, contributing to 75,000 separate transactions, reported ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Donations so far include:
- Nearly 1 million meals
- More than 100,000 children’s books
- Hundreds of thousands of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, meat and staples
- Food, clothing, shelter, job opportunities, education and more for tens of thousands of refugees
- Vaccinations against polio and measles for more than 1 million children
- Hundreds of thousands of hygiene kits
- Education for hundreds of young African girls
Since 2017, 1.5 million visitors have donated more than $22 million to local and global nonprofit organizations, with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints covering all operational expenses.
The machines are in seven countries in 2023 — the United States, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines. Some have been mobile or traveling machines and spend a few days in different cities while others have remained in one place from around the end of November til the first of January.
Below is a sampling of some of the Giving Machines photos and happenings for the 2023 season.
Guatemala Giving Machines
The area presidency of the Church’s Central America Area helped open the Giving Machines in a shopping center in Guatemala City, Guatemala, on Nov. 15.
Elder Taylor G. Godoy, General Authority Seventy and president of the Church’s Central America Area, shared how the machines are a part of the Light the World campaign.
“At the time when we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas, it is a time to share with our neighbors and as I call it, it is an opportunity to ‘Christmas,’” said Elder Godoy.
Australia Giving Machines
In Perth, Australia, Elder Peter F. Meurs, General Authority Seventy and president of the Church’s Pacific Area, quoted the Bible as he encouraged members and friends of the Church to participate in the Giving Machines initiative.
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house,” he said on Nov. 24 at the opening.
When the Giving Machines opened in Brisbane, Australia on the same day, people came up to ask what they were all about.
Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi, General Authority Seventy and second counselor in the Pacific Area presidency explained, “Because we have faith in God, that He is a part of who we are, we believe in giving to one another.”
Texas Giving Machines
In Fort Worth, Texas, singer Marie Osmond helped open the Giving Machines on Dec. 6, with a concert and tree lighting. Then, when the Giving Machines arrived in McKinney on Dec. 19, the mayor declared it “Light the World Giving Day” in the city.
Orange County, California, Giving Machines
The Giving Machines in Dana Point, California, had a BYU night on Dec. 12, where head football coach Kalani Sitake and some of the football players came to meet the crowd at Dana Point Harbor.
Other Giving Machines happenings
Social media posts have paid tribute to visitors who have traveled some distance to visit and donate at a Giving Machine.
Other social media posts have expressed gratitude to the volunteers who staff the Giving Machines, answer questions and help everything run smoothly.
Many locations are highlighting the 777 challenge — which selects one of each item to donate in the Giving Machines. This can be done as an individual or with a group of friends, coworkers, family members or neighbors.
Singers and dancers have been a part of the festivities in some cities as well.
Meanwhile this year, the Church is telling the story of where Giving Machines donations go through a series of videos called, “A Giving Machine Story.”
They can be viewed at GivingMachine.org or on the Church’s Come Unto Christ YouTube channel and have been shared on the Church’s social media accounts. The videos can also be viewed — along with the 2023 Light the World videos — in this Church News article.
