Stop by Writer Square to provide a helping hand through December.
Giving to your favorite charity is now as easy as buying a candy bar. If you're in downtown Denver, stop by Writer's Square at 16th and Lawrence to donate a book, a blanket, and much more to those in need.
The Light of the World Giving Machine is now up and ready for your generosity. The machines, a project through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are open every day from now through January 1, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
"Imagine swiping your credit card at a vending machine and instead of buying a candy bar for yourself, you buy a piglet for a family in a third-world country. Or a polio vaccine. Or a pair of shoes. Or 100 meals for your local food bank. With the #LightTheWorld Giving Machines, that's exactly what happens," says GivingMachinesDenver.com. "The Giving Machines provide a way for people to quickly and easily help those in need and make their Christmas season a little more meaningful for themselves - and countless others."
You can swipe a credit card (sorry no cash), and choose from a wide variety of items that will directly help others. You can choose from 30 different items, ranging from a few dollars to a few hundred, including meals, soap, groceries, livestock to help people start small businesses or feed their families, blankets, and much more.
Courtesy of GivingMachinesDenver.com
Your donations will go to four local charities and two international charities.
Local:
Black Child Development Institute of Denver – Focusing on education, health, and literacy
Catholic Charities of Denver – Providing valuable family support services
Mile High Ministries – Serving families transitioning out of homelessness
Rose Andom Center – Assisting domestic violence victims
International:
Water for People – Supplying safe water and sanitation for 4 million people in 9 countries
CWS Global – Feeding the hungry and assisting the vulnerable around the world
This is the first year the Giving Machines have made their way to Denver, though the initiative began in 2017. It started in Utah and has since expanded nationally and internationally over the past year. You can find the machines in New York, Salt Lake City, Gilbert, Arizona, Las Vegas, London, and more.
"The Giving Machines started in 2017 with the simple idea of 'how might we give people the opportunity to perform an instant act of service?'," says the website, adding that all of your donations will make it to your charity of choice.
"At a Light the World Giving Machine, all of your donation – 100 percent – reaches the people served. Costs for the machines and credit card fees plus the charities’ overhead for your item are covered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."
In 2018 alone, the machines raised $2,309,844 in donations, which paid for, among much more, 702,527 meals, 19,640 chickens, 3,703 polio vaccines, and 2,312 resuscitation kits for babies.
To learn more about the Light the World Giving Machine project, visit its website or stop by Writer's Square to make your donation!
