A New Way to Give

The Giving Machine is a unique vending machine in reverse. Sponsored by the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, it offers users the option to give rather than receive this festive season. The Giving Machine has paired up with six charities that will receive 100% of the donations made by Cantabrians. These charities include the Salvation Army, Child Cancer and UNICEF. Exclusive to Canterbury is the City Mission, Lady Khadija Charitable Trust and Te Whatu Ora Māori Womens Welfare League, which Allistair Odgers (CHCH Team Lead) says will add local flavour.

A real need The Giving Machine wishes they could combat in Ōtautahi is accommodation as there is a “real issue here but people just don't have that type of money” says Allistair. 

The initiative began in 2017 as a part of the Light The World Campaign, aiming to share love and hope so that less fortunate people can receive.

There are 106 cities worldwide with the Traditional Giving Machine but Riccarton Mall is the first to receive a digitised version. Software Developer Lim said it took three months to convert the traditional machine to digital but described the outcome as a sign of “moving with the modern times”. 

Users can approach the machine and select a white card representing an item. These items have multiple different price points, ranging anywhere from a pair of school shoes for a child, to a dinner for a family. Following payment, the card representing the donation will then drop from the shelf - similar to receiving a can of fizzy out of a normal vending machine.

ith the cost of living crisis there is a real need to support Kiwis this time of year, Peter from the Salvation Army says that the machines are “another tool in our tool kit.” 

This year Professional Boxer Joseph Parker, community leader Dave Letele, and Black Fern Maia Roos are ambassadors for the campaign. They have all taken to social media to express how amazing the initiative is, encouraging Kiwis to get involved. 

The Machine is set to remain at Riccarton Mall until Monday - where hopefully we will see it return in years to come.