#LightTheWorld Giving Machines collects over US$22M in donations since 2018

CEBU CITY -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint has hosted the #LightTheWorld Giving Machine every Christmas Season since 2018 in the Philippines and has collected over US$22M in donations since then for beneficiaries across the globe.

The Church’s #LightTheWorld initiative invites all people to follow the loving example of the Savior Jesus Christ, the Light of The World, by caring for individuals one by one and the Church hopes to inspire people to find unique ways to love, share, and invite one another to light the world

This year’s Christmas season, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invites everyone to celebrate the birth and life of Jesus Christ and they are excited to bring back the #LightTheWorld Giving Machines to the Philippines, especially in Manila and Cebu.

These unique "giving-focused" vending machines add a fun and spiritual dimension to the shopping and gift-giving season. Unlike regular vending machines, the Giving Machines dispense valuable and affordable product cards that facilitate acts of service for fellow Filipinos in need, allowing the public to instantly participate in the joy of caring.

With the generosity of its location partners, a Giving Machine will be hosted by Ayala Malls TriNoma in Quezon City, launched on November 9 while in Cebu, it is located at Level 3, between Casa Verde and Dessert Factory and was launched on November 16, and all Giving Machines are available during mall hours until January 1, 2024.

This year's items available through the Giving Machines include food packs, hygiene kits, educational materials, student financial aid, emergency and repair kits, multivitamins, eyeglasses and eye-care packages, medical kits, water kits, crutches, wheelchairs, immunization packages, and psychosocial support, among others.

Unlike previous years, donors now have the option to contribute via cash or e-payment alternatives, including GCash and AliPay, making cashless donations easier.

The Church covers all operational costs for every donated item made through the Giving Machines, ensuring that 100 percent of every donation goes to the recipients identified by our participating nonprofit organizations, including Caritas Manila, Caritas Cebu, Feed The Children, Inc., HERO Foundation, Inc., Mabuhay Deseret Foundation, and UNICEF.

As a special gift for select donors this year, some product cards inside the Manila Giving Machines contain unique Tabernacle Choir stickers. Donors can trade these stickers for special tickets for the upcoming February 2024 concert of the Choir in the Philippines.

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square is a world-renowned choir established in 1847 that has performed at many prestigious events, including US Presidential inaugurations. Currently, the Choir is on its first-ever world tour, with the Philippines as its second stop after Mexico. (Photos: Lilu Advertising & Marketing Solutions)