An international organization called Light the World opened its annual Giving Machine, a way to make a difference during the holiday season, right here in Kansas City on Nov. 21 at Union Station.

“It’s a vending machine — just like something you could go get a candy bar out of — only it’s filled with several charities,” said representative Heather Jones, parent of a current sophomore.

The Giving Machine includes local non-profit organizations, along with global initiatives, but it truly sets itself apart from other efforts through its unique methods.

“You don’t donate money,” Jones said. “We’ve had homeless shelters where they’re providing hygiene kits or meals, and that’s one thing you could go buy.”

Items people purchase are donated to charities that are able to distribute them to those in need. Some options of things to donate include meals, clean water, toys and — most popularly — goats.

“Recipients of the goat get to use this goat as a way to maintain a livelihood,” Jones said. “They can give goat milk [and] goat cheese. It provides an income for families.”

Although it does help people around the world, the Giving Machine has a special focus around local charities. One of these organizations is West Side Community Action Network, which helps the inner city impoverished community in several different ways throughout the year.

“One thing they have is an orchard, so they can provide food and provide an opportunity for people in the community to go and learn how to do landscaping [and] how to live off the land,” she said. “They harvest this food, and it goes to the people in the community.”

Another local Kansas City charity is hosting a toy drive through the Giving Machine. The drive supports children in need through the holidays.

“It literally is the only toy these children will get, and they usually will only get one,” Jones said.

Local efforts have made a considerable difference in the community and around the world.

“Kansas City’s very generous,” Jones said. “They put several thousand dollars into our very own community that help support the charities that are [making] a difference in people’s lives.”

Not only are the donations benefiting KC, they’re also helping to expand the initiative of Light the World.

“The first year we came to Kansas City, there were 17 Giving Machines worldwide,” she said. “Now, there will be [61].”

The Giving Machine makes it easy to make a difference, providing everyone with a chance to contribute.

“Usually you’ll have something between $5 you can choose from, all the way up to a couple hundred dollars,” Jones said.

This year, donors have the ability to maximize their impact in a new way.

“You have an opportunity to pay for the [transaction] fee because the fee is paid for by the organization that’s sponsoring the Giving Machine,” she said. “They are allowing you to just say, ‘I’ll cover that cost.’”

The Giving Machine is very versatile, allowing for a variety of donation options. People can choose between local and global charities and even donate in honor of someone.

“You are literally supporting self reliance in another country and making a difference,” Jones said. “You’re not just giving them a blanket and making them feel warm. You are giving them an item that allows them to have income for several days or years, making a difference in their communities because they suddenly can become self-reliant.”