ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - For the first time ever... Light the World Giving Machines are coming to St. Louis.
These "machines" are like vending machines, but instead of getting a snack... you can give something to someone in need. They provide instant acts of service for people looking to help those in St. Louis and around the world.
In order to accomplish this, five local non-profit organizations are beneficiaries - stocking the machine with items related to their individual cause. It's all being funded by the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
The beneficiaries includes the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery, St. Louis Foodbank, Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition, International Institute of St. Louis and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis – Head Start Program.
DiAnne Mueller is the CEO of the St. Louis Crisis Nursery. She said this project is a great way to get people involved in the spirit of giving.
"It's not about what we get, it's about what we give to those in need," Mueller said. "And it's about lifting them up, and helping them have a better life. And also helping them know that they're not alone."
She said one of the items in the machine will be a pair of children's pajamas.
"Here at the Crisis Nursery, one of the reasons we put the pajamas on the list, is it's not unusual for our kids, again because of the level of poverty that our families experience, that they've never owned a pair of pajamas," Mueller said.
Brandon Bezzant is the President of the St. Louis Stake of the LDS. He said all of the proceeds are going directly to the organizations providing the items.
"The level of need that's being addressed is unfamiliar to many of us in our daily lives," Bezzant said. "And the opportunity to stand in front of a vending machine and know that 100% of what you give goes to address that need is a powerful experience."
Bezzant said this is an opportunity to bring awareness to these organizations working all-year-long to provide resources.
"It is - in addition to the immediate good - raising awareness of those who are in need in our community," Bezzant said. "And the organizations that help them, we hope will play a legacy in the lives of those who visit the machines."
The machine will be revealed at the West County Mall on Dec. 20 at 1 p.m. and will remain there until Jan. 1. To see a full list of the items that will be in the machine... go to stlgivingmachine.org.
