Light The World Giving Machines Bring Christmas Joy to Manila and Cebu

by The Cebuano · November 22, 2023

This Christmas season, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invites everyone to celebrate the birth and life of Jesus Christ while extending a loving hand to those in need. We are excited to bring back the Light The World Giving Machines to the Philippines.

Giving Machines

These unique “giving-focused” vending machines add a fun and spiritual dimension to the shopping and gift-giving season. Unlike regular vending machines, the GivingMachines dispense valuable and affordable product cards. These cards facilitate acts of service to fellow Filipinos in need,. And this allows the public to instantly participate in the joy of caring.

With the generosity of our location partners, a Giving Machine will be hosted by AyalaMalls TriNoma in Quezon City. The launching was done on November 9, 2023, at 11:00 AM on Level 4, near Cinema 1. In Cebu, another Giving Machine is hosted by Ayala Center Cebu. It was launched on November 16, 2023, at 11:00 AM on Level 3 (between Casa Verde and Dessert Factory). All Giving Machines will be available during mall hours until January 1, 2024.

This Year’s Contributions

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

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

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

Special Treats

As a special gift for select donors this year, some product cards inside the Manila GivingMachines will 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. The group 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.

Since 2018, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has hosted Giving Machines in the Philippines. The Philippines is one of only six countries worldwide to do so every Christmas season. To date, the Giving Machines have collected over US$22 million in donations for beneficiaries across the globe.

#LightTheWorld with the Giving Machines

Each Christmas season, 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.

The Church hopes to inspire people to find unique ways to love, share, and invite one another to light the world. As individuals around the globe inspire and support one another in embodying the radiant teachings of Christ, His illuminating light and boundless love will more profoundly touch the lives of those in search of healing, hope, and authentic joy.