“A reverse vending machine that allows you, instead of receiving a bag of chips or a soda or something, that it allows you to give to somebody who’s in need.”
Jeff Lewis is Marketing Director for Light the World. He explains how items listed on a card inside the vending machine such as baby formula, clean water for a child in a third world country, or a hot shower and breakfast are just some of the things you can purchase for someone in need.
“So, he pushes the buttons on the machine, a little digital picture of his card comes up, he puts his credit card in, pushes it, and then the machine does just what it does with a bag of chips. Those little wheels spin and then and the card comes out and drops to the bottom of the machine.”
The program launched with just one vending machine in 2017 and proved so popular, there are now 107 Giving Machines throughout the country, including the first three in Michigan: one in Detroit, one in Midland, and one at Woodland Mall in Grand Rapids.
Light the World, run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, partners with five local charities and two global nonprofits to cover a wide array of needs.
“100% of all of the expenses for the machine – the machine, any rents, any set-up or displays or anything that needs to be covered – the church covers all those costs. The charities don’t pay a penny of that.”
You can donate at the Grand Rapids Giving Machine during Woodland Mall’s business hours through January 4th.
