Giving Machine raises more than $80,000 for local groups

The Giving Machine is a unique vending machine featuring items that can be purchased and donated to five local organizations, including The Fairbanks Community Food Bank, Resource Center for Parents and Children, Armed Services YMCA, North Star Council on Aging (which includes the Fairbanks Senior Center and Meals on Wheels program), and the Breast Cancer Detection Center. Every one of those organizations helps people in need in the Interior.

In 2024, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sponsored the machine at North Pole’s Santa Clause House, after three years of working to bring it here. The Giving Machine has been delivered to 107 cities in 13 countries on five continents, since 2017. It has raised moire than $32 million for people in need worldwide.

At a special ceremony last week, the donation totals were announced, along with heartrending stories from volunteers and donors.

“Our location was one of the highlighted locations for 2024,” said Jeff Jacobson, North Pole City Council member. “We were featured alongside London’s County Hall, The Kansas City Chief’s halftime performance Hong Kong and Nairobi, Kenya. The story of giving in North Pole was shared to a worldwide audience.”

Jacobsen shared a heartfelt recollection from a volunteer.

Twenty-seven young people decided to raise money doing service projects and then bring that money to the Giving Machine.

“They shoveled snow, chipped ice, hauled wood and babysat,” Jacobsen said.

Their donation totaled $483. They visited the Giving Machine as a group and collectively made selections that supported each of the seven charities in the machine.

Here is what each local charity received from the Giving Machine at Santa Claus House:

Armed Services YMCA: $14,465

This charity helps active duty families in times of crisis.

One of the Giving Machine team leaders Angela Jones recalled being skeptical that many people would purchase an emergency airline ticket home, at a cost of $400 per donation. To her surprise, that item was purchased 20 times, renewing her faith in community, realizing strangers eagerly opted to help people in their time of need.

Breast Cancer Detection Center: $6,838

Some donors sent money to friends to donate on their behalf. One of those friends knew that this particular donation should go to the Breast Cancer Detection Center.

She donated in honor of the donor’s mother, who died of cancer. She also filmed herself making each donation and sent the video to her friend who responded, “That is exactly what I would have chosen. Thank you for honoring my mother’s memory.”

Fairbanks Community Food Bank: $14,272

A volunteer recalled a woman who came to the Giving Machine and wanted assurance that her entire donation would go to the Food Bank. She then donated several times.

“I was poor growing up,” she said. “Our family received food from a food bank and I know what this means to a family that doesn’t have food.”

North Star Council on Aging: $14,680

Among many donations to North Star Council on Aging, donors also purchased 370 meals on wheels for seniors.

“That will feed one of our Golden Heart seniors for an entire year,” said Darlene Supplee, the program director.

Supplee observed donations being made to the Giving Machine in person one day and asked a donor why she chose to donate senior undergarments.

“I worked in senior care for 14 years,” the donor replied. “I know how important a box of undergarments are.”

“And that’s the beauty of this program,” Supplee noted.

Resource Center for Parents and Children: $13,630

A volunteer shared the story about a large group that took turns purchasing items from the machine. After donating, they each took photos of a little girl and a craft. It turns out, those donations were in honor of a little girl who died in a recent four-wheeler accident. The funds were part of “Marketta’s Perpetual Light Fund.”

“Many items were within an 8-year-old’s budget,” the girl’s mother posted on social media. “It was a fun way to imagine what she would have chosen and purchase them on her behalf, including her in our Thanksgiving.”

The mother also posted photos of everything bought in Marketta’s honor: formula, food, diapers and wipes, a toy, polio vaccine, blanket and teddy bear and more.

“The Light the World Giving Machines are not about raising money,” said Jeff Jacobsen. “They are about connecting communities. They provide a way for individuals and families to see the needs of their neighbors in a tangible way and to be able to help. The hope is this will inspire them to continue to reach out and give of their time and talents to those in need year round.

“You can see from these stories it is not just the recipient who is touched by the donation, but the givers as well.”