‘Giving machines’ return to Gilbert after year break due to COVID-19 pandemic
Dec 9, 2021, 8:00 PM
PHOENIX — Vending machines that let people give back to those in need have returned to Gilbert after a year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints planted four “giving machines” at the Water Tower Plaza in Gilbert near Page Avenue and Gilbert Road on Nov. 29. They will remain there until the start of 2022, according to a press release.
The machines let users purchase food, clean water, health care services, shelter, bedding, skills training, educational supplies and livestock via credit card for anywhere from $2 to $320.
“Gilbert is known as Kindness USA and we are honored to host the Giving Machines for 2021,” Mayor Brigette Peterson said in the release.
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The machines, in Gilbert for the third time, will have nine more U.S. locations: Las Vegas; Nashville; Honolulu; Salt Lake City; Oakland, California; Kansas City, Missouri; New York City; Denver; and Orem, Utah.
The donations will benefit global and local nonprofit organizations. St. Mary’s Food Bank in Gilbert said it provided 700,000 meals because of donations made in 2019.
The giving machines raised more than $6.3 million worldwide two years ago.
The machines are part of the church’s #LightTheWorld campaign, which asks people to spend the month leading up to Christmas as an opportunity to give back to those in need.
A live tracker of donations will be available on the church’s website.
