Each of the machines in Roseville and Modesto contain 30 opportunities to give – 25 from local charities and five from global nonprofits. Photo courtesy

 
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - There are many children in the greater Sacramento-Modesto region whose families don’t have a car to drive them to school. Imagine this holiday season buying one of these children a bicycle so they can get to school safely while at the same time helping them to be more self-reliant.

It’s one of the gifts area shoppers can purchase this year for needy families at malls in Roseville and Modesto. And to purchase it is as easy as buying a candy bar from a vending machine.

That’s the beauty of the Light the World Giving Machines, which are vending machines where area residents can purchase gifts for those in need.

This is the third year that the Giving Machines are located in the Sacramento area, where they have been some of the most successful in the world. The Giving Machines are open to the giving public and will run through New Year’s Day at both Westfield Galleria in Roseville and Vintage Faire Mall in Modesto. They are the only ones this year in Northern California.

Light the World Giving Machines, sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are part of a global effort to promote the true spirit of the holidays by giving gifts to those in need. This holiday season, the Light the World Giving Machines will be located in 106 cities around the world.

Michael and Kristin Childs of Fair Oaks and their friend holding cards showing what they donated through the Giving Machines. Photo courtesy

“These vending machines offer a unique and memorable way to light the world with love by serving and caring for others both locally and globally,” said Bruce Anderson, the director of the local effort. “For many parents, it offers an effective way to teach children about giving to good causes and the joy there is by helping others.”

Each of the machines in Roseville and Modesto contain 30 opportunities to give – 25 from local charities and five from global nonprofits. Among the many items that can be purchased are a winter coat for a homeless person in the region, a suicide prevention therapy session for a local youth, and newborn essentials for a local young mother in need. Shoppers can even purchase two piglets for a family in an economically challenged country to help them start a business and become self-reliant.

The global Giving Machines initiative first launched in a few U.S. locations in 2017. Since then, more than $32 million worth of goods for the needy has been donated. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints covers all program operational expenses. This ensures that participating nonprofits receive 100% of the collected funds.

The child’s bicycle is an offering from the charitable organization Al-Misbaah, which provides assistance and resources to the under-privileged community to help them live a better and sustainable lives through charitable donations. With centers in Sacramento, Elk Grove and Modesto, Al-Misbaah is the only local charity with gifts in the Giving Machines at both Roseville and Modesto.

Helena Madera-Silmi with Al Misbaah says many families want to give to local charities that make a difference in the lives of those who are under-privileged, but they don’t know how to do it. The Giving Machines, she says, gives them this opportunity while at the same time teaching children the importance of charity.

Jan and Nancy Pinney of Granite Bay holding what they purchased this weekend from the Giving Machines. Photo courtesy

“A lot of youth love shopping at the mall, and you’re teaching them how to be empathetic, you’re teaching them how to give back,” Madera-Silmi says. “It’s just an amazing way to give back.”

The other local charities with items in the Westfield Galleria at Roseville Giving Machines are Catholic Charities – Diocese of Sacramento, Rancho Cordova Food Locker, First Step Communities of Sacramento, and Lighthouse Counseling & Family Resource Center in Placer County.

The other local nonprofits with offerings in Modesto’s Vintage Faire Mall are the Food Initiative of Greater Stanislaus, West Modesto Community Collaborative, Catholic Charities – Diocese of Stockton, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Stanislaus County.

To see the items that can be purchased and more information on the Giving Machines, visit the local Light the World Giving Machines website at www.givingmachinesgreatersacramento.org.