More than 500 local and international charities are involved in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Light the World Giving Machine initiative for 2024.
According to a press release by the Church, the global charities participating in 2024 include:
- Academy for Creating Enterprise
- American Red Cross
- Care
- Catholic Relief Services
- Church World Service
- Days for Girls International
- iDE Global
- Lifting Hands International
- MAP International
- Mentors International
- Right to Play
- Save the Children
- UNICEF
- Water Aid
- The World Food Program USA
Giving Machine items can be donated online through many of the organizations’ links above. These charities offer mentorship, support for children, food, education, women’s services and more to people worldwide.
According to Mark Seastrand, director of the Church’s Communication Council for the Orem and Vineyard area, the machines located in the Orem University Place Mall are sponsoring the Academy for Creating Enterprise and the American Red Cross, along with other charities that have local impact. These include:
These local charities offer a variety of donation items such as eyeglasses for children, visits to the elderly, resources for those with mental disabilities, meals for the hungry and new baby kits for parents.
“The first really good thing about the Giving Machines is it is a really good safe place where 100% of your donation goes to a good worthwhile organization that’s been vetted, approved and really is meeting the needs of the community,” Seastrand said.
Christiane Juvenal brought her family to the machines located in Orem. She said her daughter donated glasses, a donation made available by EyeCare4Kids.
“She picked the lenses for literacy because she’s partially blind,” Juvenal said. “She knows it’s going to go to someone that feels the same way she does …and so it’s more personal too, you know, to be giving to somebody that’s maybe your next door neighbor.”
Another one of Juvenal’s daughters, Heather Rand said it was especially meaningful to give knowing it would help someone locally.
“When it very first started, there were a lot of foreign items, like buy chickens and seeds and cows and whatnot,” she explained. “But this year I noticed that they have a lot more local things, which got me excited.”
Rand is going to have a baby soon and decided to donate a new baby kit for someone through the Giving Machine. In a world where social media encourages to expand reach, giving locally reminds her to serve those that are close to her.
“I thought it was cool to relate to somebody and have it be personal,” she said.
Curtis Beesley, executive vice president for the Academy for Creating Enterprise said it is both “beautiful” and “fascinating” that donations are put to use both locally and internationally.
According to Beesley, the Academy for Creating Enterprise teaches entrepreneurial and business skills to more than 30,000 people annually in 16 different developing countries. He explained that small businesses are what support these countries, yet many of the people living there don’t know what to do to start a business.
“We’re teaching people how to fish rather than giving them the fish,” he said.
Farming starter kits and piglets are among some of the items that can be bought through the machines, online or in person, through Academy for Creating Enterprise. Beesley said, in the past, donations have also been used to provide thread for women who make and sell hammocks in Merida, Mexico.
“I’ve seen hundreds if not thousands of individuals be helped simply by teaching and supporting and helping them see what they need to do,” he said.
Seastrand said the machines not only provide a way for people to give in a way that “helps people who need help get help,” but they also spread awareness of what each of these nonprofits do. As a result, he said the machines help increase community involvement in these charities.
Seastrand explained one of the best ways to help these organizations is by giving the gift of time through volunteer work.
“I would say a great opportunity of being a student is to not only gain an education, but also to learn about the community services that are available and pitch in and help out,” Seastrand said, addressing BYU students. “I think that is not only helpful to the community, but it’s very impactful to the education and to the personal experience of the individual.”
Seastrand said he sees a lot of joy, smiles and excitement from families that come and purchase items at the machines. “That’s part of the message of the Savior is to make a difference,” he said.
