With October now in the rear window and the zeitgeist moving into a more festive, charitable mood, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has wasted no time announced the return of the much-beloved Giving Machines. The machines, which allow buyers to purchase any number of charitable items, have become a staple of the annual Light the World campaign (this year dubbed “Light the World with Love”), but were not offered in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic raged through a winter spike.
Giving Machines will be available in 10 cities starting in early November and running to January 1st. New locations include Nashville, Tennesse; Kansas City, Missouri; and Oakland, California. Here are the locations along with dates available:
- Las Vegas, Nevada – Downtown Summerlin Mall (November 3)
- Nashville, Tennessee – Bridgestone Arena (November 18)
- Honolulu, Hawaii – Pearlridge Center (November 20)
- Orem, Utah – University Place (November 23)
- Salt Lake City, Utah – City Creek Center (November 24)
- Oakland, California – Temple Hill (November 27)
- Gilbert, Arizona – Water Tower Plaza (November 29)
- Denver, Colorado – Writer Square (November 30)
- Kansas City, Missouri – Crown Center (November 30)
- New York, New York – Manhattan New York Temple (November 30)
The Church Newsroom noted some of the items available for purchase:
Each Giving Machine includes items from global and local charities, such as food, clean water, health care services, shelter, bedding, skills training and educational supplies. The ever-popular chickens, goats, pigs and beehives will also be available. Among the 40-plus local charity partners, this year’s global charities include CARE, Church World Service, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNICEF and WaterAid.
The Church covers all administrative costs and even credit card transaction feeds for the machines, meaning 100% of purchases goes straight to the charities involved.
Unlike the 2019 campaign, the 2021 Giving Machine effort is United States-only affair. The famed Hyde Park chapel in London, England hosted a machine in 2019. Another machine was located in the TriNoma Mall Quezon City, Philippines. 2019 donates exceeded $6 million.
Further details about the 2021 Light the World campaign will be revealed on November 18.
