LDS Church unveils charity vending machines on Temple Square

““For $75, you can donate a goat to a family in a Third World country this Christmas.

For $25, you can pay for two chickens. It's $20 for an eye exam or $5 for eyeglasses.

All you have to do is take your money to the red vending machines in the corner of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building's main lobby in downtown Salt Lake and select your item. Charities partnering with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will do the rest.

The machines will even generate a receipt for tax deductions in exchange for your charitable giving.

These unusual vending machines are how the LDS Church is kicking off its "Light the World" initiative, which starts Friday and runs until Christmas Day, and includes the campaign "In 25 Ways, Over 25 Days." Each day features a new video with a message sharing ways to serve others.

Elder Brent H. Nielson, a General Authority Seventy and executive director of the LDS Church's Missionary Department, said he liked the idea of sponsoring a goat for a family in another country.

"You could donate a goat that gives milk, and someone can use it to support their family. There's not many places around here where you can donate a goat," Elder Nielson said. "The exciting part is we usually go to a vending machine to get something. With these vending machines you can give something, which is unique and makes it simple to give."””
     — Trent Toone

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