And in Happier News: $3.9M donated to LDS Church's Giving Machines worldwide

[smac97]

Very cool:

Quote

Nearly 159,000 items have been purchased at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Light the World Giving Machines worldwide.

That equates to $39 million worth of donations, as of December 20, according to a press release.

Hmm.  Is it $3.9M or $39M?

Quote

Items purchased include nearly 63,000 chickens, 1.6 million meals, 955,000 vaccines, more than 3,500 pairs of shoes and more than 7,200 pairs of glasses.

The Light the World campaign, which encourages people to donate to those in need, started on Dec. 1 and runs until the end of the year.

The machines make it easy to donate to global charities such as UNICEF, Church World Service, WaterAid, Water For People and International Medical Corps, according to a press release. Items to purchase include food, clothing, medicine, hygiene supplies, sporting equipment and livestock.

This is the fourth year the Church has supplied Giving Machines.

In 2018, more than $2.3 million was raised for local and global charities.

Probably $3.9M, then.

Still, a wonderful bit of news.  I am glad that the Church is facilitating such contributions.

Quote

Giving Machines are open in the following locations:

• Manila, Philippines—November 8 (TriNoma Mall)
• Las Vegas, Nevada—November 14 (Downtown Summerlin)
• Laie, Oahu, Hawaii—November 20 (Polynesian Cultural Center)
• Gilbert, Arizona—November 20 (Water Tower Plaza)
• Salt Lake City, Utah—November 26 (Joseph Smith Memorial Building)
• Orem, Utah—November 26 (University Place Mall)
• Denver, Colorado—November 26 (Writer Square)
• San Jose, California—November 29 (Christmas in the Park)
• New York, New York—December 3 (Manhattan New York Temple)
• London, England—December 3 (Hyde Park Visitors’ Centre)

Thanks,

-Smac

[Thinking]

$39 million/159,000 items = $245.28 per item.

$3.9 million/159,000 items = $24.53 per item.

I'm thinking it's $3.9 million. It still is a very good program.

[ksfisher]

42 minutes ago, smac97 said:

Hmm.  Is it $3.9M or $39M?

They may be using a formula here to equate $1 donated to $X worth of goods and services provided to the recipient.  If, say, my $1 donation allows a volunteer to perform X number of hours of service, then the value of my donation is magnified.  

The good or service that I buy at the machine may be donated, or partially subsidized through donations, which allows my donation to pay for the infrastructure necessary to deliver that good or service to the recipient (transportation, warehousing costs, etc). 

Does that make sense?  At my work we've traditionally used a 7 to 1 ration.  For every $1 donated we're able to provide $7 worth of goods and services by using donated product and volunteers.

[sunstoned]

42 minutes ago, Thinking said:

$39 million/159,000 items = $245.28 per item.

$3.9 million/159,000 items = $24.53 per item.

I'm thinking it's $3.9 million. It still is a very good program.

I agree, it is a good program.  I suggest we wait for the financial report that I am sure the church will soon release that will details the amounts donated, overhead costs and amount delivered.

[Rain]

My primary class collected their coins in a jar we brought to church the last couple of months. It was a sweet thing to see them bring in the coins. Last week we took all if the kids that could come to the machines here and had them choose what to give with the money they collected. I loved seeing them be involved.

My son, as a missionary, has been able to help restock the machines, with lines etc.  Loved that he could be involved with that as well.

[Calm]

2 hours ago, smac97 said:

Very cool:

Hmm.  Is it $3.9M or $39M?

Probably $3.9M, then.

Still, a wonderful bit of news.  I am glad that the Church is facilitating such contributions.

Thanks,

-Smac

I saw long lines for them last week at the University Mall at what appeared to be a relatively slow time of day for the mall. It warmed up my day and heart to see that enthusiasm. I think they are a great idea. 

[Calm]

1 hour ago, ksfisher said:

which allows my donation to pay for the infrastructure necessary to deliver that good or service to the recipient (transportation, warehousing costs, etc). 

The Church generally covers that kind of overhead with other funds, I believe...or perhaps it covers that which they control (their own trucks, own employees) and not the local transportation, etc. Does anyone know? 

[Scott Lloyd]

Any idea how many goats were purchased?

[Robert F. Smith]

6 hours ago, sunstoned said:

I agree, it is a good program.  I suggest we wait for the financial report that I am sure the church will soon release that will details the amounts donated, overhead costs and amount delivered.

No overhead.  100% of all donations go to charity, with the Church picking up any administrative costs.  LDS Philanthropies makes that a central policy.