The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints unveiled the Light the World Giving Machines at University Place Mall in Orem on Nov. 25, including one of the first digital Giving Machines.
Christmas is right around the corner, and along with it comes the season of giving. This year, the Church placed Giving Machines in 106 locations worldwide and introduced digital machines that display donation options on this screen rather than as physical cards in a vending machine.
Since their introduction in 2017, the Giving Machines have collected more than $32 million worth of charitable items from donors worldwide.
“The Giving Machine is an opportunity for us to help people around the globe,” Elder Jorge M. Alvarado, General Authority Seventy, said.
Orem, Utah is one of only five locations that are pilot testing the Church’s new digital Giving Machines. Elder Alvarado said the digital machines are an innovative and affordable way to invite people to donate.
“We think about the scriptures and what Jesus Christ will do. ‘I was hunger, and you gave me meat. I needed clothing and you came to me,’” Elder Alvarado said. “That's the way that the Lord is providing for us to help our brothers and sister and show our love for them.”
People can donate to eight different charities in the Orem Giving Machines. One of these is the American Red Cross.
“Our mission is to alleviate and prevent human suffering in the event of emergencies and disasters by the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors,” Benjamin Donner, executive director of the American Red Cross in Central and Southern Utah, said.
The Red Cross allows donors to buy comfort kits, infant cribs and vaccinations for those living in vulnerable countries through the machines.
“We're truly grateful for the help that the community is giving and the Church is giving,” Donner said.
Whether donated physically or digitally, 100% of Giving Machine donations are used to bless the lives of those in need.
“The first commandment that God gave us was to love him, but to also love our neighbor,” Elder Alvarado said. “You can go help and bless the life of others, so I invite everyone to go and do this.”
The Giving Machines in Orem are accepting donations until Jan. 3, 2025.