‘It’s a wonderful way to give.’ Vending machine helps people in need for the holiday season
The initiative started in 2017, and this year, it has more than 100 machines around the world.
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The Giving Machine is the first-of-its-kind to visit Connecticut.
It's part of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints initiative called Light The World.
"The one difference is what you're purchasing is for someone else and it's a wonderful way to give,” said Todd Herget, state president of the Fairfield County region for Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints.
The initiative started in 2017, and this year, it has more than 100 machines around the world.
"Great opportunity for people to not only give back but to learn a little bit about what we do. We have dog collars, food for pets up to a week,” said Kayleigh Shettleworth, development manager of CT Humane Society.
The machine has cards labeled with items or services from local nonprofits. At the end, the cards are collected and distributed to the corresponding nonprofits, so they can provide what others purchased.
“We just bought a goat, we bought some dog toys, we bought some food, we bought a handwashing station for people we will never see but will make a difference in their lives,” said Jennifer Wilcox, of Darien.
The Giving Machine will be at the Darien Sport Shop until Dec. 15.
