Unveiling of Texas Giving Machine to take place on Dec. 9 at 11 am, just north of Grapevine City Hall.
The most wonderful time of the year is here! Visiting Grapevine’s charming historic Main Street, which has become known as the Christmas Capital of Texas®, is a holiday tradition. Main Street is illuminated by thousands of lights, store fronts are uniquely decorated in their holiday best, and holiday music brings lots of cheer.
The holidays are also a time for giving, and Main Street will house a special big red machine to help visitors and shoppers easily give to those in need.
On Saturday, Dec. 9 at 11 am,downtown Grapevine will celebrate the unveiling of the Texas Giving Machine, a vending machine of sorts which provides an instant act of service for Main Street shoppers and visitors interested in helping those in their community and around the world. The unveiling will take place just north of City Hall at 102 South Main Street and will be attended by Grapevine Mayor William D. Tate and City Council members.
With a swipe of a card, items can be purchased ranging in price from $5 to $150 and include staples such as clothing, hygiene items, meals, school supplies, livestock and medication. One hundred percent of all donations go directly to the participating charities. The Texas Giving Machine is part of the Light The World campaign, sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Giving Machine will be in Grapevine until Dec. 17. Previously located in Sundance Square, the machine will travel next to Historic Downtown McKinney on Dec. 19 until Jan. 1, 2024. The machine also travels to Houston and San Antonio.
Dallas-Fort Worth is one of 61cities worldwide to host Light the World Giving Machines in 2023. The Texas Giving Machine will benefit eight charities locally in the metroplex, including: GRACE Grapevine; NTX SNAP; Hugs Café; Arlington Charities; It’s Going To Be OK; Samaritan Inn; I Can Still Shine; and American Red Cross North Texas.
It will benefit two global charities, including African Girls Hope Foundation and Church World Service.
"Imagine going to a vending machine and being able to provide food, coats, educational training or relief for those in need in the DFW area," said North Texas Area Seventy Elder Cannon with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "The Savior asked us to lift other's burdens, what better way to celebrate His birth than donating to our neighbors in need."
Since the first Light the World Giving Machine launched in 2017, hundreds of thousands of people have generously contributed $22 million to assist those in need. Donations can also be made at Light The Worldfor those not able to visit the machines in person.