This holiday season, residents in Rexburg, Idaho Falls and Pocatello will have a new way to give back.
For the first time, the Light the World Giving Machines are coming to southeast Idaho. sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, these special vending machines allow people to purchase donations for local and international charities.
Since the program began in 2017, nearly 50 million dollars has been raised worldwide, providing meals, clothing and other essentials to those in need.
A unique aspect of the southeast Idaho machines is their local impact. In addition to supporting Care.org and Right to Play, global nonprofits supported by most Giving Machines, these locations will benefit 13 local charitable organizations serving the three host cities.
“We’re grant funded and federal funds are very limited on what we can do to help and a lot of income guidelines and makes it more difficult for people who are facing a crisis to get assistance,” said Brenda Jackson from the family services branch of the Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership. “So, this is going to be a great way to offer a little bit more help to those households that are just needing that little extra help.”
All of the charities involved expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share their missions with the community.
“The giving machine is just a really awesome way to be able to amplify the voices of the nonprofits that are doing the work to be able to help community members. And specifically with United Way to be able to support those families that are working hard and doing all of the things that they possibly can but still can't make ends meet,” said Tennille Call, the director of education at United Way of Southeastern Idaho.
The Giving Machines are also helping raise awareness of the mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“The Church is very heavily involved in humanitarian aid. But we realized we can't do it alone. And if it was just us giving that aid, then we would not be successful,” said Elder Kirt L. Hodges of the Quorum of the Seventy. “When we're able to collaborate with community partners and other religions and other churches and come together, we can make a much bigger impact. And the Giving Machine is an opportunity to do that in a very open and welcoming atmosphere that people can come and just say, I can be a part of this.”
Here’s where you can find the Giving Machines:
Pocatello at the ICCU headquarters, Nov. 15-30.
Rexburg at Hemming Village, De. 1-14.
And in Idaho Falls at the Grand Teton Mall, Dec. 15-Jan. 1.
Each location will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and be staffed by local volunteer groups.
“We know the people who live here. We know they're giving hearts. We will bring people together and let them serve and provide for those that are in need,” Elder Hodges said.