Last week to donate to 'Giving Machine'

This is the last week residents can help those in need by donating to the "reverse vending machine."

The last day Queen Creek hosts a “Light the World Giving Machine” — a literal vending machine where people can pick a nonprofit they want to support and give — is Sunday, Dec. 7.

Sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Giving Machines offer items ranging from $5 to $250 that will be used by nonprofits to buy clothing, hygiene items, food, school supplies and more.

Giving Machines have been deployed across the state, nation and world since 2017, with one being a near fixture in Gilbert each holiday season. Now, for the first time, Queen Creek will have a machine, this one at Pecan Lake Entertainment Center, 25004 S. 206th St.

“Essentially, they transform charitable giving from an abstract transaction into a meaningful visual and a personally fulfilling experience where participants can see exactly what they’re providing while knowing their full donations reach those in need,” said Queen Creek Council Member Bryan McClure.

McClure, who also serves as the Queen Creek LDS communications director, said he and his family have made it a tradition to “shop” at the Giving Machine in Gilbert during the holidays. So, he thought, why not bring it to Queen Creek?

He joined forces with Holly Dunn, the Queen Creek representative for JustServe, an organization that pairs people with volunteer opportunities, and successfully applied to the church to bring a Giving Machine to town.

“I just knew this would be perfect for Queen Creek. I feel that giving machines can help the community experience a hometown Christmas by quietly bringing joy to others,” he said.

McClure added that various locations around town were considered for the Giving Machine, including the Queen Creek Library, “but with all that construction around there, I didn’t think it was a good idea.”

“When we looked into Pecan Lake Entertainment we thought, how perfect because people are there anyway. So, it’s just a good synergy,” he said.

If the Queen Creek Giving Machine is successful during its three-week stay, McClure said it’s his hope the machine will come back to town next year for a full six weeks.

The Queen Creek Giving Machine will benefit the local and area nonprofits Harvest Pack, House of Refuge, Mary Gloria Foundation, Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation and Hope Women’s Center. Two global charities, Days for Girls and Mentors International, will also be represented in the machine.

This is the first year the Mary Gloria Foundation will have a spot in the machine.

The Queen Creek organization is dedicated to helping families in need get basic items for everyday life.

“We came up with five essential items that we feel families need on a regular basis and usually it coincides with the program. I put in food and diapers and backpacks. That’s what we focused on,” said Theresa G. Palma, the foundation’s director.

Palma believes the Mary Gloria Foundation was chosen for the Giving Machine because of all the work it has put into the community over the years.

“They see not only the fruits of our labor and where it’s been providing for families, but also they know that we follow through on what we say we’re going to do,” Palma said. “When we put on backpack events, 300 kids are showing up for backpacks and walking away with backpacks and food boxes and hygiene products.”

This will be the second time the House of Refuge, which provides transitional housing for families experiencing homelessness, will be part of the program. Three years ago, the organization was included in the Gilbert Giving Machine, which is in place throughout the entire holiday season.

“I thought that we could not apply again, but I found out that we could, and so we applied this year and were selected,” said Kayla Kolar, president and CEO of House of Refuge. “We’re very close to Queen Creek. Even though our address is Mesa, it’s just across the street practically. And we serve a lot of people from Queen Creek, so we were thrilled to be selected.”

The year House of Refuge was included in the Gilbert machine, the nonprofit received more than $75,000 worth of items.

“I don’t expect the return to be as big because this is a new thing for Queen Creek and it’s a limited amount of time,” Kolar said. “Anything is more than we have now and it’s all going straight back to help our families.”

The LDS church handles administrative fees, so 100% of every dollar put into a Giving Machine goes to the selected nonprofit.

Kolar is thrilled that the Mary Gloria Foundation will be joining House of Refuge in the Giving Machine as the two organizations have a long-standing partnership.

“We have a very robust donation center where people can come and drop off household goods or we have people that do drives for us, whether it’s for peanut butter or baby clothes or whatever the need is at the moment — and when we have extra, we share,” Kolar said.

With Americans currently tightening their belts, Palma and Kolar understand that this year residents may be hard pressed to give back, but even a little helps a lot.

“Maybe they’ll give some, but maybe it’ll be less. But I’ll tell you from a nonprofit standpoint, whatever they give we are so grateful, and we are so appreciative,” Kolar said. “We know that people are working hard but a lot of times they want to be able to give back in some way whether it’s small or large and it’s more than we had before.”

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