Light the World Giving Machines support local charities: Where to find them around Puget Sound

Holiday shoppers can help provide meals, housing support, medical assistance, and even livestock through charitable vending machines, making stops across the Puget Sound region this season.

The Light the World Giving Machines, sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, begin their Seattle appearance with a grand opening Nov. 9 at the Amazon Spheres on Seventh Avenue.

Scott Stevenson, a spokesman for the campaign, told “Seattle’s Morning News” on KIRO Newsradio the machines offer donors a simple way to support specific needs identified by nonprofit organizations.

“We’re bringing the machine to the people,” Stevenson said.

Light the World Giving Machines supports 10 local charities

The campaign will support 10 local charities and two international organizations, CARE and UNICEF. Donors select items on a screen, directing their contributions toward goods and services the participating charities have requested for the people they serve.

Those selections can support hunger relief, education and literacy, medical care, and assistance for people experiencing homelessness. Other options include chickens and goats to help families overseas.

Stevenson noted the church covers the campaign’s operating expenses, including credit and debit card processing fees. That allows the full amount donated at the machines to reach participating charities.

“The church underwrites this, 100%, including the credit card fees,” Stevenson said.

He said participating nonprofits identify items reflecting their clients’ greatest needs. The charities then use the donations to provide those items or services.

For Stevenson, that specificity distinguishes the machines from other opportunities to give while shopping. Rather than making a general contribution at a checkout counter, donors can choose what they want to help provide.

The Seattle stop marks the campaign’s first appearance at the Amazon Spheres, Stevenson said. The machines are scheduled to remain there Monday through Friday before moving south.

Giving Machines head to Puyallup, Bellevue and Tulalip to support local charities

The next grand opening is scheduled for 10 a.m. Nov. 17 at South Hill Mall in Puyallup. The machines will remain at the mall through Dec. 4.

They will then move to a Nativity Festival in Bellevue from Dec. 5 through Dec. 13, Stevenson said.

A third grand opening is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at Seattle Premium Outlets in Tulalip, another new location for the campaign.

Organizers said Amazon representatives are expected at the Seattle opening. The Puyallup event is expected to include the city’s mayor and other civic leaders, while the Tulalip opening is expected to include a tribal leader and Marysville’s mayor.

Local charity leaders have also been invited, along with news organizations covering the three grand openings.

Donations help meet needs from food to housing

Participating local nonprofits include Family Promise, First Step Family Support Center, Orion Industries, A Step Ahead, Thurston County Food Bank, El Centro de la Raza, LINC NW, Vine Maple Place, Take the Next Step and Seattle Angels.

Stevenson described a range of services among those organizations, including employment assistance, foster family support, crisis response, food assistance and housing stability.

Vine Maple Place helps families with housing and stabilization resources, he said. Orion Industries provides employment support, while Seattle Angels serves foster families. Take the Next Step extends the campaign’s reach east to Monroe.

Stevenson said participating charities can remain in the program for two years before rotating out, giving other organizations an opportunity to benefit.

He emphasized that donors do not need substantial financial resources to participate. Families and children can choose individual items, making charitable giving a shared holiday activity.

“We’re trying to show people that it’s simple, it’s easy, and can be very fun,” he said.

Stevenson said location details and addresses are available at GivingMachineWA.org. The website also provides information about Giving Machine locations elsewhere in Washington, including Spokane and the Tri-Cities, for donors looking for opportunities beyond the Puget Sound stops this holiday season.

Manda Factor is the host of “Seattle’s Morning News” on KIRO Newsradio. Follow Manda on X and email her here. 

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