RACE, RELIGION + SOCIAL JUSTICE
Over 100 Light the World Giving Machines coming this holiday season, 5 in Utah
Nov 13, 2024, 5:00 PM
Over 100 Light the World Giving Machines will be placed across the world to encourage people to help others. (Adam Small/KSL NewsRadio)
(Adam Small/KSL NewsRadio)
SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is rolling out 106 Light the World Giving Machines around the world this holiday season.
Five of those will be in Utah at the following locations:
- In Salt Lake City by the food court at City Creek Center, open from Nov. 25 to Jan. 1.
- In Orem at University Place Mall, open from Nov. 25 to Jan. 3.
- In Ogden inside the amphitheater at Christmas Village at 343 25th Street, open from Dec. 3 to Dec. 14.
- In Logan at the parking lot East of Great Harvest at 55 W. Center Street, open from Dec. 16 to Jan. 1.
- In St. George at the center court of the Red Cliffs Mall, open from Nov. 18 to Nov. 30.
The machines will be on five continents. This is the first year the church will have at least one machine in Asia and Africa.
The machines allow people to purchase things like food, water, healthcare, toys and other goods for people in need all over the world.
Giving Machines are a “call to action”
At an event Wednesday, Elder Gary E. Stevenson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said the term “Light the World” is more than a mere holiday message, but rather a call to action.
“It extends the invitation to follow Jesus Christ in sharing light, love, kindness and service,” Stevenson said.
Elder Takashi Wada, a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, told KSL NewsRadio when someone goes to a vending machine, they normally think of buying something for themselves. But the Giving Machines help people think differently.
“Hopefully this will give…[an] experience for people to think of giving rather than receiving,” Wada said.
People wishing to donate online instead of going to a physical machine can do that and find more information on the Church of Jesus Christ website.
Bonneville International Corporation, the company that owns KSL NewsRadio, is a subsidiary of Deseret Management Corporation, which is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
