SALT LAKE CITY—Many are familiar with the scene from Dickens’ “Christmas Carol” in which two unnamed gentlemen approach the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, and solicit donations for the needy. They are, in the beginning, rebuffed by Scrooge, and eventually, approached once more by the reformed Ebenezer, who gives them an unknown, but generous donation. As they state in their first approach, many people at this time of year are looking for service opportunities, but, unlike the Dickens classic, aren’t often approached by people soliciting donations.

It can be difficult to find opportunities to serve or to donate, and even more difficult to know just where those donations are going. Fortunately, however, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has brought back an exceedingly popular program this Christmas season that offers an easy way to serve and give back, and it’s only a 20-minute drive from Bountiful.

The Giving Machines, first instituted in 2017, have spread to many different corners of the United States and the world, and have helped raise millions of dollars for people in need all over the globe. In fact, since they first started, people have donated $22 million, and with all operational expenses being covered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 100% of that money has gone directly to helping people in need.

There are many worthy causes that donate money to the needy, especially this time of year, and many that give 100% of donations to their cause, so what sets the Giving Machines apart? For many, it’s the experience. As opposed to signing a check, or checking a box and sending it off, the Giving Machines give participants the opportunity to approach a sort of vending machine and see, via text and graphics, a visual, tactile representation of exactly what their money is going toward.

These items are varied in scope and include meals, groceries, shelter, clothing, healthcare, education, bedding, hygiene kits, job and career training, crops, and even livestock like chickens, goats, pigs, ducks, sheep, and beehives. In a press release, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave a snapshot of what donations made to Giving Machines were able to accomplish just last year:

“In 2022, donations to Giving Machines provided 2.2 million meals; 31 million water purification tablets (enough to purify 3.9 million gallons of water); vaccinations for 517,000 children; 41,000 chickens; school supplies for 28,000 children; 25,000 ducks; safe shelter for 3,400 people; scholarships for 3,000 children and teens; shoes, socks and warm winter clothing for 35,000 children and adults; 3,800 beehives; and the protection of 459 women and children from further domestic violence or child abuse.”

In 2023, there are 61 different locations around the world, including several in Australia, Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, New Zealand, The Philippines, and dozens of cities around the United States. With two locations in Utah, one in Salt Lake, and the other in Orem, Davis County residents will have ample opportunity to donate, but, should those physical locations be out of reach, people are still able to participate at GivingMachine.org.