Returning for the 2024 holiday season, the Light the World Giving Machines, an initiative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have expanded to a record-breaking 106 locations across 13 countries. Since their launch in 2017, these innovative “vending machines” have raised over $32 million, benefitting more than 500 local and global charities.
The Giving Machines offer items that range from food and clothing to resources that help launch small businesses, fostering generosity and supporting communities worldwide. “Light the World is our message of glad tidings,” shared Elder Gary E. Stevenson, underscoring the joy these donations bring as an embodiment of Jesus Christ’s love.
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The Light the World Giving Machines, a global initiative from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, invites individuals to “light the world” by offering meaningful gifts to those in need. This year marks the program’s eighth season and celebrates its expansion to a record-breaking 106 locations worldwide, including new locations in Africa and Asia.
These Giving Machines are not your ordinary vending machines; they are counterintuitive in that they work in reverse by allowing people to purchase items for others instead of for themselves. From meals and hygiene kits to livestock and small business materials, the machines offer a wide range of goods that are distributed to people in need globally.
President Camille N. Johnson, Relief Society General President, emphasized this vision, saying, “Instead of buying something for ourselves, we can donate items to lift and bless people… those who live across the world.”
The Light the World initiative started in 2017 as a call to embody the love of Jesus Christ through action.
Wondering what inspired the creativity? Check out this video below:
Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles expressed that the initiative has evolved into more than just a seasonal campaign. “Over the years, ‘Light the World’ has evolved into much more than a holiday message. It is a call to action, worldwide,” he said, underscoring the program’s mission to spread kindness, service, and love. Since its inception, the program has raised over $32 million, involving nearly 2 million donors across the globe.
This year, over 500 charities are participating in the Giving Machine initiative, with donations distributed among organizations like UNICEF, American Red Cross, Catholic Relief Services, and the World Food Program. Through their efforts, these charities bring much-needed resources to people facing economic challenges, homelessness, and hunger.
Sister Amy A. Wright, First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, encapsulated the program’s essence: “Jesus Christ admonished: ‘As I have loved you, love one another.’ One of the greatest manifestations of His love is when we do something for someone that they cannot do for themselves.” Wright highlights how the Giving Machines foster a unique bond between the giver and the receiver, blessing both.
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This year, the initiative has extended to 13 countries and 32 U.S. states, creating even more opportunities for people to contribute. The machines, now operating in cities from Australia to the United Kingdom, provide a practical yet heartfelt way for individuals to assist in providing essentials like food, water, education, and healthcare. The program’s operational costs are fully covered by the Church, ensuring that 100% of every donation goes directly to the charities that facilitate these services.
In the table below, you can find each of the 106 Giving Machine locations for 2024, including the countries and cities they’ll be operating in, giving individuals across continents a convenient way to contribute and make a difference.
Many of the locations have Instagram accounts.
CLICK HERE to see one of the accounts that aggregates some of the best content from each of the different Instagram accounts.
| Country | City/Location |
| Australia | Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney |
| Canada | Calgary, Lethbridge, Montreal, Toronto |
| China | Hong Kong |
| El Salvador | San Salvador |
| Guatemala | Guatemala City, Quetzaltenango |
| Honduras | San Pedro Sula |
| Kenya | Nairobi |
| Mexico | Aragon, Cuernavaca, Pachuca, Puebla, Toluca, Tula |
| New Zealand | Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton, Wellington |
| Panama | Panama City |
| Philippines | Cebu City, Davao, Manila |
| United Kingdom | Birmingham, London |
| United States | |
| Alabama | Birmingham |
| Alaska | Anchorage, Fairbanks |
| Arizona | Flagstaff, Gila Valley, Gilbert, Glendale, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Snowflake, Tucson |
| Arkansas | Bentonville |
| California | Dana Point, Huntington Beach, Modesto, Sacramento, San Diego |
| Colorado | Denver |
| Connecticut | Darien, Mystic |
| District of Columbia | Washington D.C. (Tysons, Virginia) |
| Florida | Orlando, St. Augustine |
| Georgia | Atlanta (Cumming and Newman) |
| Hawaii | Hilo, Honolulu, Lahaina, Laie |
| Idaho | Boise, Caldwell, Meridian |
| Illinois | Chicago |
| Indiana | Indianapolis |
| Maryland | Columbia |
| Massachusetts | Boston |
| Michigan | Detroit, Grand Rapids, Midland |
| Missouri | Kansas City, St. Louis |
| Nebraska | Omaha |
| Nevada | Elko, Las Vegas (Henderson and Summerlin), Reno |
| New Jersey | East Rutherford |
| New York | New York City |
| North Carolina | Charlotte |
| Ohio | Cincinnati, Columbus |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma City, Tulsa |
| Oregon | Eugene, Portland |
| Pennsylvania | Philadelphia |
| Tennessee | Knoxville, Nashville |
| Texas | Austin, Frisco, Grapevine, Houston, McKinney, San Antonio, Sugar Land, The Woodlands |
| Utah | Logan, Ogden, Orem, Salt Lake City, St. George |
| Vermont | Sharon |
| Virginia | Richmond |
| Washington | Seattle, Tacoma |
You can also click on THIS LINK to get more information.
Elder Stevenson succinctly summarized the Church’s mission for this initiative that helps the holidays become holy days when he shared the following:
“Light the World is our message of glad tidings, which we’re assured will bring joy to all people because of Jesus Christ… Just as angels declared words of great joy at His birth, we too in our own small way, gift by gift, can be angels in the lives of others.”
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