This holiday season, giving has become fun and more interactive with the Giving Machine located in Cherry Creek Mall. It’s a vending machine that vends goodwill and so much more according to Chris Jensen, Columbine Stake President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“It’s a fun, unique and individual way for people to give to those in need in the community. And, it’s really tangible,” Jensen said.
The machine is one of 61 across the country. They were rolled out in the 2019 Christmas season and Denver was one of the first cities to get a machine that year, after the program expanded from Utah, according to Jensen. He explained that the machines are filled with items from seven charities, five of which are from Colorado.
He described the process of giving like using a regular vending machine to get a snack.
“You stand in front of the machines. You see what’s available” Jensen explained. “There’s one for a goat. It shows a little picture of a cute goat. And it says, ‘donate a goat for milk and breeding and create an impactful income opportunity.’ So, if you pick that goat for $98, and push the button,(it’s) similar to when you buy a bag of chips.”
He said the machine picks and pushes out the item with the goat photo.
However, there is one difference between the Giving machine and the one vending a snack.
“Now you don’t pick the goat picture out,” Jensen said. “The volunteers at the machines gather those, and then they restock them. But when you make, your choice, it is registered. That’s what you bought.”
The machine has logged that a goat was purchased by the person who swiped their card for payment. The volunteers are also there to ensure the donation goes where it needs to.
Photo courtesy Giving Machine Denver on Facebook
There are a wide range of items available. For example, The Colorado Hosting Asylum Network serves refugees and migrants to come to the Denver and Lakewood area.
“You can give them a healthy food basket,” Jensen said. “Or, you can give a bicycle to help migrants get around town because they come here and they don’t have anything. Or you can give a towel set to a previously homeless woman who was trying to develop some self-reliance and independence on her own. There’s all these really cool things.”
He said the cheapest item is a $5 bus pass from the Salvation Army and the most expensive is a bike for $175 from the Colorado Hosting Asylum Network.
“There’s also a $10 meal to feed an emergency responder or to give a shelter guest one meal. And that’s been our No. 1 seller this year” Jensen said. “I think there’s been about 1,000 of those so far.”
The Giving Machine has raised over $200,000 this year. According to Jensen, the majority of donations have come from individuals. However, he has seen groups and even companies bringing their employees to the machine.
He said 100% of the donations go to the charity listed on each item. “The church said it’s not our charity, it’s these charities (receiving the donation),” Jensen explained. “So, we will provide the machines at no transaction costs.”
Jensen also shared a special hack for the Giving Machine.
“There’s a secret code,” Jensen said. “If you type 777, you get to buy everything in the machine all at once. It’s like $1,860 or something. And every single one of the items comes down.”
The machine will be available through Jan. 1. Jensen urges Jeffco residents to come see it and to donate.
“We’re asking people to come and visit, bring your family and friends, open your hearts. And give generously,” Jensen said. “If you go and stand in front of that machine and make a conscious choice to give something to somebody, you will feel the warmth and light in your heart.”
For more information and to donate online, go to GivingMachinesDenver.org