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Leslie Horn – Guest Contributor
Nov 3 @ 6:00 pm
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Red Vending Machine Shines Light on an Easy Way to Give This Holiday Season

 

NORTH TEXAS -- Just in time for the holiday giving season, the Light the World Giving Machine returns to Grapevine, the Christmas Capital of Texas, benefitting seven charities.

Dallas-Fort Worth is one of more than 100 cities worldwide to host Light the World Giving Machines in 2024.  Five local DFW charities will benefit:

Salvation Army North Texas, Catholic Charities Dallas, Lovepacs6 Stones and Agape and two global charities, including Lifting Hands International and UNICEF - USA.

 What is a Giving Machine? Red vending machines that allow users to donate items like clothing, baby supplies, medicine and even goats for people in need during the holidays.​ With a swipe of a card at the machines, items can be purchased ranging in price from $5 to $150 and include staples for charities. One hundred percent of all donations go directly to the participating charities. Sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Giving Machine is part of the Light the World holiday campaign, providing an instant act of service.

The Giving Machine will be in three locations throughout the metroplex from Nov. 22 – Jan. 1, 2025

  • It will start in Grapevine, the Christmas Capital of Texas, Nov. 22 – Dec. 5 at Napoli’s Italian Kitchen & Market (309 S Main St, Grapevine, TX 76051)
  • Then, the Giving Machine will travel to make its debut in Frisco on Frisco Square from Dec. 7 – Dec. 18.
  • It will make its final stop in Historic Downtown McKinney at Guava Tree  (104 S Chestnut St, McKinney, TX 75069) from Dec. 20 until Jan. 1, 2025.

“The Giving Machine is sponsored by our Church as a way to have an unforgettable giving experience with friends and families,” North Texas Area Authority Jonathan Cannon said for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "These moments help us feel the Savior's love for all of God's children.”

"I love the concept of the Giving Machines," Jen Leney, featured charity 6 Stones Executive Director, said.  "I love that you are teaching families charitable giving. There's a lot of need and as we collaborate together, we can transform whole communities.”

"The Giving Machine concept of spreading Light around the World is exactly what we do," Leney said. 

The Texas Giving Machine will also be in Austin, Houston and San Antonio.

Since the first Light the World Giving Machine launched in 2017, hundreds of thousands of people have generously contributed $32 million to assist those in need.

About Light the World Campaign

During the holiday season, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invites people everywhere to light the world by lifting and serving others in small and simple ways. One unique, fun, and memorable aspect of the Light the World initiative is the popular Giving Machines. These customized vending machines allow the public to donate necessary products and services to those in need worldwide.

More details on texasgivingmachine.org/dfw/

@TexasGivingMachine on Instagram and Facebook