2025 Launch Event of Columbus’ Light the World “Giving Machines” with Archie Griffin | Polaris Fashion Place

A Meaningful Way to Help Our Neighbors in Need this Holiday Season

Building on the success of its first year in central Ohio, the Light the World Giving Machines are back in Columbus for the 2025 holiday season—and with new charity partners.

Imagine walking up to what appear to be vending machines but instead purchasing much-needed meals, clothing, healthcare and other assistance for those in need – both locally and throughout the world.

As part of the annual #LightTheWorld campaign, visitors to Polaris Fashion Place Mall will be able to provide an instant act of service by making donations at special vending machines called Giving Machines. With a simple tap of a card, individuals can purchase items for our most needy neighbors right here in central Ohio, as well as for individuals in need of humanitarian assistance in other countries. ​100% of all donations go directly to the selected charity.

Charities participating in the Columbus Light the World Giving Machine effort include:​​

Local Charity Partners:

• Canine Companions
• Jewish Family Services
• The Salvation Army
• Star House
• Stowe Mission

Global Charities:

• CARE
• UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency

Ohio State icon and 2x Heisman Trophy Winner Archie Griffin, as well as representatives from the local charity partners, ​will offer remarks at the opening event. Additionally, Light the World representatives are available for interviews before and/or during the event

The Light the World Giving Machines, sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, first debuted in 2017 and have raised nearly $50 million for local and global charities. The initiative continues to expand each year, with approximately 850,000 individuals visiting Giving Machines during the 2024 holiday season, alone. In 2025, Giving Machines will be located in over 126 cities in the United States and internationally.​

In 2024, almost 7,000 people visited the Giving Machines in Columbus — donating 3,500 items that directly touched over 25,000 neighbors in central Ohio and 20,000 global neighbors. There were 150 volunteers staffing the machines, donating more than 450 hours.