The Giving Machine, the “vending machine” that has taken the US by storm and raised more than $15.1 million for charity, is launching in Australia.
Instead of using a vending machine to buy something for yourself, the Giving Machine works in reverse, giving users the opportunity to purchase a variety of much-needed items for local charities from personal care items, to school supplies.
A Christmas season staple in global locations such as New York, Nashville and Manila, the Giving Machine is officially launching down under on December 3 at Logan Hyperdome in Brisbane, where it will remain through to 28 December 2022.
Users can make donations by purchasing one or more of 30 items ranging in price from $10 to $200 that include a range of needs such as first aid training, blankets, meals, tutoring and life-saving equipment.
Visitors can choose their gift from one of three Giving Machines, paying by credit card or mobile payment. Each item or service is represented by a card which drops from the machine. A list of items chosen by donors, and 100 per cent of the purchase funds, is delivered to each charity for them to acquire and deliver the gifts.
The beneficiaries of the Logan Hyperdome machines include Angel Flight, Children’s Hospital Foundation, Community Involvement Solutions, GIVIT, Rosies - Friends on the Street, and The Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland section).
Chairman of The Giving Machine Queensland, Mr Mark Gibson, said the Giving Machine not only benefits the charities who receive gifts, but also the wider community by providing a wonderful influence on the way consumers behave during gift-giving periods like Christmas.
“In other countries the machines are providing a fun way for people and families to help those in need and Brisbane can be very proud as it starts a new tradition in Australia and drives a new way of giving at Christmas,” Mr Gibson said.
“We work with numerous charities whose sole mission is to help their local communities during tough times, and to consolidate these acts of service, we’ve created the Giving Machine which makes it easier for people to give to those in need, all from one central location.”
To help ensure 100 per cent of every purchase goes to the selected charity, the Giving Machine is sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as part of its annual #LightTheWorld campaign. The Church helps identify not-for-profits nationwide that might benefit from purchases made by users of the Giving Machines.
SOURCE
Life-changing vending machine launches in Australia (PR Wire)
