The Giving Machine: How You Can Give To Those In Need This Christmas

A vending machine is where we’d usually get something for ourselves. But LightTheWorld Giving Machines are a chance to give to others, with the swipe of a card.

By swiping your credit card at a Giving Machine you won’t get anything for yourself – but you will be buying life-changing items for those in need this Christmas.

It’s the perfect way to give back during the holiday season, if you’re not sure how to help. Giving Machines make it easy for us to support local charities that provide clothing, food, emergency supplies, medical care and support to those who are in hardship.

Take a look at how it works:

Each of the Giving Machines locations partners with local charities to curate a selection of five of their top needs over the next year, ranging from lifesaving medical care, support for people experiencing homelessness, and literacy and numeracy tutoring for rural people. The items range from $10 to $200.
Visitors can walk up to a Giving Machine and choose something to give to someone in need. Each item or service is represented by a card, which drops from the machine with every purchase. The donor then has the option to scan a QR code to receive a tax-deductible receipt.
Each machine keeps a running tally of the items donated to each charity. In early 2024, the donated funds are delivered to each charity along with the accounting of items chosen by donors. These donations will be used and fulfilled over the next year by each charity.

With Giving Machine, 100% of purchases are donated to nonprofits, with credit card fees and overhead costs covered by LightTheWorld.

Where to find Giving Machines

Sydney: Westpoint Blacktown, 23 November – 27 December 2023
Brisbane: Logan Hyperdrome, 24 November – 27 December 2023
Melbourne: Eastland Shopping Centre, 24 November – 28 December 2023
Perth: Lakeside Joondalup Shopping Centre, 24 November – 28 December 2023
Auckland: Sylvia Park Mall, Mt Wellington, 23 November – 29 December 2023

The humanitarian organisations partnering with the Sydney 2023 Giving Machine project are CareFlight, Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation, Smith Family, UNICEF, Food Bank, and GIVIT.

For more information, head to Giving Machine.

26 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 18 Jun 2025
    8:09 am
This is a lovely idea and it would be awesome if the machines were in more locations such as all kmarts or coles supermarkets, etc
It would also be awesome if they were available all year round as often its hard for people to give at christmas time but they could during the year

- - Mum2archer said
  - 27 Dec 2023
    9:09 pm
A great idea! I love this

- - ella12 said
  - 26 Dec 2023
    5:23 pm
That’s fantastic. A very nice idea.

- - Sarah said
  - 13 Dec 2023
    10:01 am
It’s such a lovely idea & it is opening up donating in a way younger generations are more likely to participate in. Brilliant!!

- - MummaD said
  - 12 Dec 2023
    8:59 pm
Such a great idea

- - tessie said
  - 27 Nov 2023
    5:15 pm
That’s a great idea for Christmas giving to the less fortunate

- - rovermum said
  - 27 Nov 2023
    10:34 am
This is such a great idea. I love giving at Christmas time.

- - karahenry95 said
  - 27 Nov 2023
    12:02 am
This is such a great idea!!
- mom93821 replied
  
  27 Nov 2023 , 6:53 am
  We love to support lots of charities at Christmas time. It can be a difficult time for many.
- - MandaMags said
  - 26 Nov 2023
    9:55 am
What a great idea. We normally just walk the city and provide blankets or some clothes to the street people as well as some food.

- - mom93821 said
  - 26 Nov 2023
    9:32 am
Christmas is a wonderful time to give to others.

- - Ellen said
  - 24 Nov 2023
    8:58 am
May we all be giving to those in need, luckily there are plenty of other opportunities to give besides the giving machine

- - sars_angelchik said
  - 23 Nov 2023
    1:45 pm
That’s an amazing idea- wish there was one in Launceston.

- - mom465794 said
  - 23 Nov 2023
    12:38 pm
Such a wonderful cause, we always do gift giving with Kmart

- - mom101628 said
  - 23 Nov 2023
    12:32 am
This is a fabulous idea. Pity there isn’t more of these Giving Machines around at other supermarkets though. Thanks for sharing it with us all here.

- - ~Loui~ said
  - 23 Nov 2023
    12:17 am
I love this! I’ve donated and given Oxfam unwrapped gifts before. People love buying things like a chicken for a family or a goat. Such a brilliant way of sharing.

- - ChiWren said
  - 22 Nov 2023
    11:40 pm
What a lovely idea. They need more machines, Logan Hyperdome is yonkies from me.
Just a reminder that the It’s In The Bag dignity drive is currently on for a few more days to give women and girls in need some essentials to brighten their Christmas. I have a mum and bubs bag to drop off at my local Bunnings tomorrow. So important to support others this time of year if you’re able to. If not, spreading the word is golden <3

- - Mum_Em said
  - 22 Nov 2023
    9:31 pm
Fabulous idea. One is actually close to where I live.

- - mom486197 said
  - 22 Nov 2023
    8:06 pm
What a wonderful idea.

- - BellaB said
  - 22 Nov 2023
    7:13 pm
Such a good idea. I do hope they succeed and spread widely.

- - cassy26 said
  - 22 Nov 2023
    11:37 am
This is such a great idea..wish they were in more locations.