In 2017 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints introduced Light the World machines in 10 locations worldwide. By November 2024, the Church had expanded this initiative to 107 locations in 13 countries on five continents – including the United Kingdom – encouraging people to perform Christlike acts of giving that positively impact others' lives. The festive season was a wonderful opportunity to spread light and love, with an estimated 600,000 visitors engaging with these machines globally.
In the UK, three machines toured three venues during November and December: Touchwood Shopping Centre in Solihull, Spitalfields Market in London, and Spinningfields at Bishops Square in Manchester.
Light the World machines are a unique and memorable way to give much-needed goods and services. These giving-focused vending machines have been an important way to share the love of Jesus Christ with people around the world. Each machine operates just like a traditional vending machine, except that users select an item for a particular charity from the display and make a purchase with a credit card.
The Church in the UK collaborated with nine charities that provide local, national, and global support and relief to those in need. Each charity provided a range of products, at various price points.
The charities who participated in the UK machines were FareShare, The Felix Project, IDE, Jesuit Refugee Service, Muslim Aid and Shelter Box. A local charity was also selected for each location: Little Hearts Matter in Solihull, Under One Sky in London, and Francis House in Manchester. Charity donations included: a chicken, goat, or sheep, an antenatal pack, a tent, food, hygiene items, mobile phone top-ups, clothing packs, baby essentials, mosquito nets, solar lights and clean water kits.
Elder Alan Phillips, a senior leader for the Church, described the machines as a way to, “foster kindness and strengthen community bonds” by helping others.
Manchester’s City Lead, Kevin Fletcher, added, “It’s a fun, high-tech approach to giving that embodies the spirit of Christmas.”
- Touchwood Shopping Centre in Solihull – Opening Event and Ribbon Cutting by Mayor Cllr Shahin Ashraf opening the event with charity representatives.
- First donation given at the machines in Touchwood Shopping Centre in Solihull
- Solihull Team (left to right): Paul Wilkinson, Tech Lead; Elder and Sister Steck, Project Leads; Helen Pullen, Volunteer Lead; Mark Hamilton, Community Outreach; Kirsty Moreton, City Lead; Clare Wright, Special Events; Mike Johnson, Charity Liaison.
- Ribbon cutting with Elder Robert Schwartz (Area Seventy) and charity representatives.
- London Team (left to right): Sister Steck, Project Lead; Kenya Carrol, Civic and Community Outreach; Bex Mannering, Charities Liaison; Peter McDonald-Smith, Volunteer Coordination and Training; Naomi Notice, City Lead; Elder Scott D Whiting, Europe North Area President; Charlotte West, Social Media; Elder Alan T Philips, Europe North Area Presidency; Emma Seaman, Events Coordinator; Elder Robert Schwartz, Area Seventy; Natasha Colborne, Social Media; Peter Trebilcock, National Communication Director
- Charity representatives at the machines in Spitalfields Market, London
- London Mission Children’s Choir at Spitalfields Market, London
- Ribbon Cutting at Spinningfields, Manchester (left to right): Scott Parker, Burnley Football Club Manager; Afzal Khan, Labour MP for Manchester; Dr Eamonn O'Neal, High Sherriff of Manchester; Elder Mark Dundon, Area Seventy; Alan Pace, Burnley Football Club Owner
- Francis Hospice representatives at Spinningfields, Manchester
- Young adult choir at Spinningfields, Manchester
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Thousands of members and friends of the Church contributed by securing locations, organising installations, volunteering to assist those using the machines, and purchasing items. Additionally, children’s choirs, youth and young adult choirs, professional soloists and other musicians, and even magicians, shared their talents to help attract people to the machines and create a joyful atmosphere, further enhanced by appearances from Father Christmas.
News coverage of Light the World machines reached an audience of 5 million through the broadcast of several regional radio interviews and via national and local media outlets.
As part of its ongoing global humanitarian efforts, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints covered all operational and administrative costs of the initiative, ensuring that 100% of all donations went directly to the partner charity for the purchased item.
We express deep gratitude to the charities who participated, the venues that hosted the machines, Project Leads Elder Randy Steck and Sister Janean Steck, City Leads Kirsty Moreton (Solihull), Naomi Notice (London), Kevin Fletcher (Manchester) and their teams, and the hundreds of people who dedicated their time to assist with the machines and ultimately bless hundreds of recipients. This service brought much light and hope to so many.