KTUU: Winter gear, meals for seniors, even goats: Alaskans donated generously through holiday vending machines

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Five local and two international charities learned Friday what items Alaskans had purchased for them through a special vending machine known as the Giving Machine that made appearances in both Anchorage and North Pole during the holiday season.

Alaskans donated about $150,000 dollars-worth of items to non-profits including things like diapers, seed kits, gear for service animals and tanks of gas to NeighborWorks Alaska, Catholic Social Services, Downtown Hope Center, Kids Kupboard, Community Pregnancy Center, Lifting Hands International, and the American Red Cross.

The machines are sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Keira Giliam, team leader for the Light the World Giving Machine in Anchorage, said 100% of the donations go to the chosen non-profits which have 12 months to purchase the specific items they requested and report back.

It’s the second year the machine has been in Alaska during the month of December. Giliam said they learned recently it will return again next year during the holiday season.