KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — On Friday, some East Tennessee charities split thousands of dollars raised through a donation program designed to resemble vending machines.
Over $30,000 was raised through the "Light the World Giving Machine" program that started in Knoxville in November 2023. Through the program, people can donate at the vending machine in exchange for a card describing a specific cause, earmarking the money to support that cause. In most places, vending machines accept credit and debit cards, as well as mobile payments.
The initiative is run through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which said it covers operational costs for the initiative. The church said all donations go to participating nonprofit organizations.
Metro Drug Coalition said it was participating in the initiative in November 2023. Checks from the donations were given to it as well as Bridge Refugee Service, the Catholic Charities of East Tennessee and the Knox Education Foundation.
"Because this gift is so gracious and unexpected, it's really helping us address the needs that Catholic Charities focuses on," said Deacon David Duhamel, executive director of the Catholic Charities of East Tennessee.
Metro Drug Coalition said it would use money from the initiative to fund art supplies for its art therapy room, a movie and snacks for 28 people in recovery, 11 recovery housing scholarships, 17 days worth of refreshments at The Gateway and ten sober social events.
"Thank you so much to the Light the World Giving Machine for this wonderful opportunity and to those who generously gave in support of those in or seeking recovery," it said on social media.