Civic and religious leaders from around the Northland including State Rep. Bill Allen of House District 17, Clay County Commissioner Jay Johnson and Rudi Garcia, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Liberty stake, found that with the touch of a button and the swipe of a card, they can donate to local and global charities via giving machines.
The machines had their grand unwrapping in Kansas City’s Union Station last month. The event was hosted by Tavia Hunt and Tammy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs with guests Gov. Mike Parson, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the LDS Church.
Items inside the machines — such as a pillow, a hot meal and even a goat — range in price, allowing for people on most budgets to donate. Seven nonprofits in Kansas City have items inside the vending machines including Amethyst Place, Community Service League and Pawsperity. The Red Cross and Church World Service offer a chance to donate global charity items.
“Donors make their selection, pay with their credit card and a white disk, confirming the gift, falls into a bottom drawer. The donor then receives a white card verifying the donation,” reads a release from the local LDS stake on how the machines work.
Rep. Allen and his wife, Marta Allen, selected something unusual to donate.
“I don’t believe we have ever donated a goat to charity,” Marta said while chuckling.
The Johnsons too found novelty in donating, but also found them a way to bring the community together.
“It is always heartwarming when people come together in the spirit of giving, compassion, community and joy,” Nicole Johnson, wife of Clay County Commissioner Johnson, said. “The giving machines are a wonderful opportunity to support both local community charities and others in need outside our immediate community. I highly recommend taking the time to enjoy the beauty of Union Station and the opportunity to support those in need through the giving machines.”
The Johnsons donated a beehive, dental essentials and diapers.
Some Northlanders also helped set up the machines and get them ready for the giving season. Morgan Renfroe and her daughters and mother, Rachel Sanford, made it a family-affair, all helping fill the machines with item cards before they officially opened.
“We love having the opportunity to help fill the giving machines,” Renfroe said. “Finding service (opportunities) children are allowed to participate in can be very tricky, which is why we love the giving machines so much. (The girls) are excited to come back and choose an item to donate.”
This is the fourth year Kansas City has hosted the machines. In the past three years, they have collected more than $750,000, with 100% going directly to the charities.
“All overhead is paid by their sponsor, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” reads a release about the machines.
The giving machines will be in the Grand Hall of Union Station until Jan. 1. To learn more or to donate without visiting the machines, go online to GivingMachinesKC.
org.
