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“Giving Machines” Arrive in Rockefeller Center This Holiday Season to Help Those in Need

CARE Partners with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Bring Charitable Vending Machines Across the Country

On Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021 — widely recognized around the world as “Giving Tuesday” — the famous Giving Machines will be back with an official unveiling during a community kickoff event at 11 a.m. in the world-famous Rockefeller Center. 

CARE, along with other international and local charities, including UNICEF USA, WaterAid, USA for UNHR, the Mariano Rivera Foundation, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, the New York Board of Rabbis, the Actors Fund and Latter-day Saint Charities — will share their philanthropic vision for this holiday season.  

Everyone knows how a simple vending machine works, so what makes these so special?  

With the swipe of a credit card and the push of a button, passersby can select to donate one of more than 30 items ranging in value from $5 to $250.  Through these Giving Machines, supporters can easily purchase anything from a single goat or two chickens to a household cleaning kit, polio vaccines or even a day at Yankee Stadium for an orphaned teen. When donors make their purchase via credit card, the Giving Machine dispenses a postcard featuring an image and description of their donation.  

“CARE is honored to partner with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ annual Light The World Holiday initiative. The Giving Machines remain a wonderfully creative way to enable critical life-saving relief. In the spirit of the original CARE packages, this is a simple and powerful way of standing in solidarity with those in need.”  Michelle Nunn, President & CEO, CARE USA. 

100% of all donations go directly to each participating charitable organization as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints covers all expenses associated with the initiative, including credit card transaction fees. 

“CARE is beyond excited to partner once again with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for Light the World,” Chantal Bonitto, CARE Northeast Region Executive Director said. “We have seen first-hand how these donations improve the lives of women and girls around the world. Just a simple swipe at a vending machine, to buy a chicken, could mean food security and income for an entire family. These gifts are life changing.” 

Nearly 256,000 items worth approximately $6.2 million were donated to charitable organizations in 2019 — the third year of the giving machines initiative. The machines were not used in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

New Yorkers and tourists alike visiting the Rockefeller Christmas Tree this holiday season can access the machines from Nov. 30 through Dec. 31.

Giving Machines can also be found in the following cities across the United States this holiday season:
Las Vegas, Nevada
Nashville, Tennessee
Honolulu, Hawaii
Orem, Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
Oakland, California
Gilbert, Arizona
Denver, Colorado
Kansas City, Missouri
New York City, New York  

For More Information:
Rachel Kent
Senior Press Officer
Rachel.Kent@care.org

 

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