What to Know
- The holiday spirit is coming to the streets of New York City in a unique way once more thanks to charitable vending machines
- Instead of buying snacks or soda at the machines, supporters can make donations to local and global charities
- Items found in the vending machine range from $5 to $200
Want to give back this “Giving Tuesday”?
The holiday spirit is coming to the streets of New York City in a unique way once more thanks to charitable vending machines.
The "Giving Machines" popped up in the the city. Instead of buying snacks or soda at the machines, supporters can make donations to local and global charities.
Items found in the vending machines range from $5 to $200 and each charity has provided items for purchase related to the services they offer. In addition to traditional gifts like clothing and art supplies, donors can also purchase livestock including sheep and chickens, polio vaccines, a reliable toilet for a school and even a portable "school-in-a-box" kit. After one’s gift, the Giving Machine dispenses a postcard featuring an image and description of their donation.
The “Giving Machines” are part of a partnership between local and global charities and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Partner charities include UNICEF USA, WaterAid, Church World Service (CWS), the West Side Campaign Against Hunger, Art Start, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York and Latter-day Saint Charities.
Located in 10 cities across the country and around the world, the Giving Machines are part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' #LightTheWorld campaign, which invites people to spend the Christmas season giving back to their local and global communities through acts of service.
Local
The vending machines can be found at Columbus Avenue and 65th Street.
“Giving Tuesday,” also known as #GivingTuesday, takes place on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the United States. It's a movement to create an international day of charitable giving at the beginning of the Christmas and holiday season.
