For the first time, Giving Machines have come to Eastern Idaho.
Beginning a six-week tour from Pocatello to Rexburg, the machines opened Saturday on the Idaho Central Credit Union campus, where a community eager to give gathered to welcome them.
“There's just an electricity in Pocatello,” said Sherri Matson, the Pocatello lead for the Giving Machine program. “Everyone's excited about it. I'm hoping we have wonderful participation.”
The Giving Machines are unique vending machines that allow people to purchase items ranging from blankets to goats, for individuals and families in need around the world. The Eastern Idaho machines feature global charities Care.org and Right to Play, along with 13 local nonprofit partners.
“We're just so grateful for the community support that we receive. We couldn't do this without our community. Almost all of our funding comes from fundraising like this,” said Madisyn Humble of Bright Tomorrow’s Child Advocacy Center in Pocatello.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Saturday to mark the opening, attended by Gov. Brad Little and Elder David J. Pickett, Area Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“Giving is part of our ethos in Idaho,” Gov. Little said.
Since the Giving Machine program launched in 2017 under The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it has raised nearly $50 million worldwide, providing meals, clothing and other essentials to those in need. This year, more than 500 nonprofits will participate, with machines placed in 126 cities across 21 countries.
“Everything is about the Savior. He is the light,” Elder Pickett said. “As we do small acts of kindness for other people, especially those we don't even know, a little bit more of that light shines on us and we're able to feel that closeness to him.”
Where to find the Giving Machines:
Pocatello: ICCU Headquarters, Nov. 15–30
Rexburg: Hemming Village, Dec. 1–14
Idaho Falls: Grand Teton Mall, Dec. 15–Jan. 1
Each location will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and staffed by local volunteers.
“I hope that [the community will] feel the spirit of giving and looking after someone else that they don't know but personally can connect with them and to sacrifice something that they have to give to someone else in following the example of Jesus Christ and loving our neighbors,” Matson said.