The Duncan children from Loomis display the gifts for the needy they purchased from the Giving Machine in Roseville on Monday, Nov. 17. Photo courtesy of Light The World Giving Machine

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Residents throughout the greater Sacramento area have already started to “Light the World” through Giving Machines, vending machines with items representing life-changing gifts for those in need. The Light the World Giving Machines were installed Monday, Nov. 17, inside the Westfield Galleria at Roseville and will be available through Dec. 8.

This is the fourth year that the Light the World Giving Machines have been hosted at the popular Roseville mall at 1151 Galleria Blvd. During the first three years, residents throughout the Sacramento region have donated nearly $850,000 to local and global charities.

“These vending machines offer a unique and memorable way to light the world with love by serving and caring for others both locally and globally,” said Bruce Anderson, the director of the local effort. “For many parents, it offers an effective way to teach children about giving to good causes and the joy there is by helping others.”

The Light the World Giving Machine initiative is part of a global effort to promote the true spirit of the holidays by giving gifts to those in need. This year, Giving Machine kiosks, sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will be in 126 cities around the world, with 100 percent of the money going to the designated nonprofit organizations.

The Marianno family of Rocklin shows off their purchases from the Light the World Giving Machine in the Roseville Galleria. Photo courtesy of Light The World Giving Machine

The Sacramento-area Giving Machines in Roseville this year feature five new local charities, each offering five gifts from which to choose. They include well-established organizations such as the Salvation Army that are often associated with the Christmas season.

“This year’s collaboration with the Giving Machine allows us to serve more families, more children and more seniors than ever before,” said Major Peter Pemberton, Sacramento County coordinator with the Salvation Army. “We’re grateful to stand with partners who believe, as we do, that hope grows when people give joyfully, and this initiative is making that hope visible across our community.”

The Sacramento area’s oldest active charity, the Sacramento Children’s Home, is also included in the Giving Machine.

“The Sacramento Children’s Home is deeply grateful to be selected as a Giving Machine beneficiary this year,” said Todd Koolakian, the organization’s director of philanthropy.

 “This opportunity allows our community to come together in a unique and meaningful way to support local children and families in need. Each donation made through the Giving Machine helps provide safety, stability and hope — making a lasting difference in the lives of the most vulnerable children and families in our community. We’re honored to be part of this inspiring tradition of generosity and compassion, and thankful to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for making this special project possible.”

The Reyes-Cairo family from West Sacramento came on the opening day of the Light the World Giving Machines in Roseville so their children could purchase gifts from the machine. Photo courtesy of Light The World Giving Machine

Here’s a closer look at the organizations featured in the Roseville Giving Machines and a sampling of the gifts that individuals and families can purchase for them to deliver:

Jake’s Journey Home: This local nonprofit supports veterans and other community members experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Through the Giving Machine, donors can fund urgent needs like public transit cards, hygiene kits or an interview outfit — practical support that helps people get back on their feet.

Stand Up Placer: Stand Up Placer provides emergency services, support and healing programs for those who have experienced abuse. Donations in the Giving Machine include therapy sessions, crisis support for children and emergency food.

Sunrise Christian Food Ministry: Serving residents of Sacramento County and beyond, Sunrise Christian Food Ministry distributes food and other needed items to those facing food insecurity and other disadvantages. From the machine, donors can fund meals, hygiene kits and a backpack full of food for students, making sure families in need get reliable access to food.

The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army, with services throughout the greater Sacramento region, provides shelter, food and long-term pathways to self-sufficiency. Among the Giving Machine gifts: summer camp for a child, Christmas dinner for a neighbor and job training.

Sacramento Children’s Home: This organization has been dedicated to the care and support of the area’s most vulnerable children and families for nearly 160 years. Through the Giving Machine, donors can buy baby food for a low-income parent, pajamas for a child staying at the Children’s Home and parenting classes.

In addition, there are two global charities with offerings in the Roseville Giving Machine. They are:

UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees): United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees helps refugees displaced by conflict or disaster. This global effort has three gifts in the machines: a school kit, a month of school tuition and a treatment to help children recover from malnutrition.

Mentors International: This international nonprofit empowers entrepreneurs in developing countries by providing micro-loans, training and mentorship. From the machine, donors can give a cooking pot or a baby goat to start a family business.

Visiting the machine is simple: Tap on a touchscreen to pick one or more gifts, pay by credit card or mobile wallet, and receive a digital receipt. Each purchase drops a card to symbolize the item chosen. It’s a powerful reminder: Generosity is just a tap away — and every choice makes a difference.

In addition to the Giving Machines in the Westfield Galleria at Roseville, there will also be Giving Machines at the Modesto Vintage Faire Mall with five different local charities. The Modesto Giving Machines open Friday, Nov. 21, and run through Friday, Dec. 12.

The Greater Sacramento Giving Machine in Roseville will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Nov. 21, at 11 a.m. featuring VIPs from the community and the charities. Santa J. Claus will make a special appearance with children to make purchases for his Christmas journey from the Giving Machine. After that ceremony, for the next two weeks there will be numerous performances at the Westfield Galleria Light the World Giving Machine kiosks.

For more information on the Greater Sacramento and Modesto Light the World Giving Machine efforts, a calendar of events and a full listing of what’s inside the local Giving Machines, go to www.givingmachinesgreatersacramento.org.

For more information on the global initiative, and information on how to make an online donation, head to www.LightTheWorld.org.