Each Christmas season, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrates the birth and life of Jesus Christ the #LightTheWorld initiative, inviting people to follow His example by caring for others, one by one, throughout the Christmas season.
Since the initiative began in 2017, the Giving Machines have raised over $32 million worldwide across 61 locations to benefit charitable organizations. The machines were first introduced in the Philippines in 2018 and have since expanded to Davao, Cebu and Manila.
In 2023, over PHP 700,000 was collected from more than 4,500 donors at machines installed in TriNoma, Ayala Center Cebu, and near the Manila Philippines Administration Office of The Church of Jesus Christ in Quezon City. Additionally, the Church donated PHP 500,000 to each of the six charitable organizations, totaling PHP 3.7 million in nationwide donations.
The Giving Machines provide a unique experience, functioning as vending machines with a twist: each purchase is a donation to a local charity partner. These machines allow people to offer immediate acts of service, with 100 percent of each donation supporting the items purchased or similar essential needs. All administrative costs for the initiative are covered by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Giving Machines offer a variety of items to help Filipinos in need, including food, water and medical kits, educational supplies, vaccines, vision therapy, and funding for dorm and school fees for military orphans, among others. Donations can be made using cash, and e-payment options are also available. The machines will be available from their launch until January 3, 2025.
The beneficiaries of the Giving Machines in the Philippines are Caritas Manila, HERO Foundation, Alagang Kapatid Foundation, Cebu Caritas, Feed the Children, UNICEF Philippines, Mabuhay Foundation and Ateneo de Davao University.
