“We have five nonprofits that are local that are in the machine and we have two global nonprofits that also have items in the machine that people can come up and choose which exact thing they want to donate to.”
Colleen Lewis is a volunteer overseeing the Giving Machine at Grand Rapids’ Woodland Mall. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints brought it back for a second year.
“This is just a great way to see good things going into good people’s hands and being able to make sure your dollars go right where you want them to go.”
The kiosks allow you to make a donation supporting designated nonprofits’ items or services. It supports charities like Mel Trotter Ministries or Paws With A Cause. Once purchased, 100% of the donation goes to the organization.
Light the World pays for the machines. It began with just one machine in 2017. Now, there are machines in 134 cities across the country, having collected $44 million globally since its launch.
“It took a while for people to understand what it is, but once people come, they’re heart feels it and you just experience that giving, that opportunity to give service, because you couldn’t figure out how to do it, but now it’s just like really available.”
The Giving Machines will be at Woodland Mall through January 4th.
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