The UK’s first charity donation vending machines have been installed this week in a West Midlands shopping centre, set to raise funds for charities through donation cards.
Three specially fitted vending machines will be open to the public in Touchwood Shopping Centre, Solihull, from 15 November until 27 November.
The vending machines will stock donation cards from several charities, with the donation amounts ranging from £3 to £400, enabling shoppers to decide where their donations are being spent.
International disaster relief charity ShelterBox is one of those involved in the project alongside Muslim Aid, FareShare, the Felix Project, Jesuit Refugee Service, and Little Hearts Matter.
For shoppers who donate to ShelterBox via the machine, they can buy donation cards for items such as a mosquito net; a solar light; a clean water kit, or a humanitarian tent (for £405).
Other items on offer from other charities include meals for individuals and families from FareShare and a smiley face balloon, that will be sent to children who are recovering from heart surgery by Little Hearts Matter.
The machines are being brought to the UK by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as part of their annual Light the World Christmas initiative.
The Mormon church has already popularised the use of vending machines for charitable donations in Australia, Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines and the United States
ShelterBox: ‘Fundraising drives like these enable us to deliver vital aid’
ShelterBox’s director of fundraising and communications Lisa McCormack said: “The Light the World vending machine is a fun and festive fundraising initiative, which will help ShelterBox continue our crucial work, supporting families uprooted from their homes by disaster or conflict.
“With millions of people displaced worldwide, the need for emergency shelter has never been more urgent. As winter approaches and temperatures drop in many places around the world, the need for shelter becomes even more critical.
“Fundraising drives like these mean we can deliver vital aid like tents, water filters, and thermal blankets to people who need them.
“The wonderful people who donate through these vending machines will be making a tangible difference to people who have often lost not only their homes but loved ones and livelihoods too.”
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