If you head down to see the lights at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, during December, you’ll be amazed at the glorious sight! Thousands and thousands of Christmas lights are strewn over each limb and branch of the barren trees making it a spectrum of color all around. One cannot help but be in awe of the magical wonder!
However, there is something else that is capturing the wonder of many sightseers this holiday season: The ‘Freely Give’ machine. This machine is located inside the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City. It is connected to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
What is the ‘Freely Give’ machine you ask? Think about the word “service.” Think what it means to you. With the ‘Freely Give’ machine, the service you can give comes in a unique way. This is a chance to “give” instead of “get.”
What if people could give to someone in need instead of buying something for themselves?
A passage from the Bible in Matthew 10:8 reads: “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”
The ‘Freely Give’ machines were first temporarily placed in New York as an experiment to see how the machines would be received. The reactions by passersby were positive. Overwhelmingly so, and more often than not, people chose to “give” rather than to “get.”
Elder Brent H. Neilson, a General Authority Seventy and Executive Director of the Missionary Department, introduced the initiative on November 30th to reporters gathered around for a news conference.
In his words, Elder Neilson said, “The idea is a simple way to donate to charities. Instead of getting something out of a vending machine, you can actually give something.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints partnered with several charities who are all involved with the vending machines.
“We’re hoping people will be able to see how simple it is to just give a few dollars or to share some money they have with a charity that’s in need,” Elder Neilson adds.
Care.org is one of the charities affiliated with the ‘Freely Give’ machines. This charity allows donors to buy two chickens or a goat for someone in need somewhere in the world.
You can also purchase baby supplies, emergency supplies, blankets, first aid kits, radios, and medication.
This past weekend, I went with my family and friends to Salt Lake City to see the Christmas lights, and, of course, to visit the ‘Freely Give’ machine. My two young boys were not thrilled with waiting in the long line for our turn and, instead, were anxious to get to dinner.
But, when I explained what we were doing, they were more interested in the idea the closer we came to the machines. We decided to buy 2 chickens. We felt happy with this purchase!
It was amazing to see the number of people waiting their turn to come to the ‘Freely Give’ machine. And standing nearby were missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ready to answer any questions.
An adjacent vending machine holds items to be purchased for the Utah Food Bank or eyeglasses for another Utah-based organization called Eye Care 4 Kids. And still another vending machine holds bottles of water that can be purchased which represents donations to provide pure water in areas where it is needed through WaterAid and Water for People.
And lastly, another vending machine dispenses free cards each carrying a suggestion of a simple way in which to serve this Christmas (and always). For example, “Donate some old clothes to a charity or thrift store.” Or, “Clear some space on your calendar to invest in some one-on-one time with someone you love.”
