The Giving Machines — those big, red vending machines for charity — raised more money from more people in more locations than ever before during the 2023 holiday season.
Expanding the “Light the World” initiative to a record 61 locations in a record seven countries led to record donations, according to an announcement this week from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
About 600,000 donors contributed $10.4 million in Australia, Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines and the United States, the news release said.
That’s up from about $6 million raised in 28 locations during the 2022 holiday season.
“The Giving Machines help unite willing givers with worthy causes,” said Elder William K. Jackson, a General Authority Seventy.
The Giving Machines now have raised over $32 million since their debut in 2017, when four machines in one location raised $550,000.
The unique machines offered 1,200 different charitable items in November and December 2023, from meals and clothing to livestock and beehives. The donations went to a dozen global charities like African Girls Hope Foundation and UNICEF or to about 240 local nonprofit organizations.
The nonprofits received 100% of the contributions, with the church covering all overhead costs.
The donations paid for:
- 2 million-plus meals for the hungry.
- 11,000 backpacks or boxes of school supplies; 2,100 laptops or tablets; 2,200 scholarships and 9,300 reading books and textbooks.
- 660,000 polio and measles vaccinations for children.
- 8,500 hygiene kits for refugees and others.
- 7,500 pairs of shoes, 6,800 pairs of socks, 4,100 items of winter clothing, 1,700 coats and 2,200 pajamas for children.
- 17,000-plus goats, 125,000 chickens, 2,100 beehives, 1,500 pigs and 1,400 sheep to help families with long-term nutrition and potential income.
- Additionally, the money will help provide fresh water to 1,800 communities and safe shelter to more than 2,000 abuse survivors, veterans and seniors while they regain control of their lives.