SAFFORD — Representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shared the Gila Valley’s generosity with three local nonprofit organizations Monday.
The funds were donated through the Light the World Giving Machines that were stationed at the corner of 8th Avenue and Main Street, in front of Safford City Hall, for two week just before Christmas.
Angel’s Closet and Food Bank received $18,280, Southeastern Arizona Community Unique Services (SEACUS) received $14,650 and the Boys and Girls Club of the Gila Valley received $12,101.
“We’re real excited to have this opportunity,” said Brad Montierth, president of Safford Stake. “We hope to be able to do this again in future years. We’ll see if we get that opportunity again this year.”
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
In 2022, the first year the Giving Machines were in Safford, about $33,000 was raised for Graham County nonprofit organizations.
Giving Machines function the same as any other vending machine — after inserting money, the donor chooses which nonprofit with receive the funds. A card drops and donors are encouraged to take a selfie of themselves with the cards, and share those photos on social media to encourage more giving.
The machines are an initiative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and started in 2017 in four cities — Manila, Philippines; London, England; Salt Lake City and Gilbert. In 2023, the machines were in 25 cities in North America, the Philippines and Australia; with nine additional cities seeing the mobile machines.
Since 2017, the Giving Machines have raised more than $22 million for local and worldwide charitable organizations and initiatives.
