Quick Read
- Carmel, Indiana’s Light the World Giving Machines allow residents to make donations for those in need during the holiday season.
- Since 2023, Indiana’s Giving Machines have facilitated over 13,000 donations totaling more than $400,000 in value.
- The machines now operate at multiple Carmel locations and support eight local charities.
- City leaders and nonprofit partners see the program as a way to teach children about generosity and community service.
- Real stories from recipients highlight the machines’ tangible impact on food security, education, and recovery.
Giving Machines Turn Carmel’s Holiday Spirit Into Meaningful Action
In Carmel, Indiana, the holiday season is more than twinkling lights and festive markets—it’s a chance for neighbors to turn goodwill into concrete help. The Light the World Giving Machines, now a cherished tradition, have transformed the city’s approach to holiday giving, offering a direct and simple way for people to support those in need, both locally and globally.
What looks like an ordinary vending machine at first glance is, in fact, an engine of generosity. These machines, operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, let visitors “purchase” donations—meals, school supplies, hygiene kits, winter clothing, even livestock for struggling families. Since their humble 2017 debut, Giving Machines have gone worldwide, touching lives in 21 nations and facilitating more than 490,000 donations. Carmel has become one of the initiative’s proudest hosts, with the machines now a fixture of the city’s holiday landscape.
Carmel’s Leadership and Community Partners Embrace the Giving Tradition
The ceremonial launch of Indiana’s Giving Machine season at Carmel’s Carmichael Hotel was more than a ribbon-cutting; it was a celebration of shared values. State and local leaders—including Gov. Mike Braun, State Treasurer Daniel Elliott, and Secretary of State Diego Morales—joined nonprofit partners and families to mark the event. The atmosphere inside Feinstein’s restaurant was warm and optimistic, with volunteers clad in candy-cane scarves—now synonymous with the Light the World campaign.
Bob Petersen, Co-Chair of Light the World Indy, underscored how the machines fit seamlessly into Carmel’s holiday identity. “Visitors come for the holiday market, the lights, the atmosphere—and now they can also experience the joy of giving to someone in need with the press of a button.”
Governor Braun echoed this sentiment, calling the machines “the best of Indiana’s communities.” His words spoke to a broader truth: in a time when division often grabs headlines, these machines spotlight the state’s spirit of unity and service.
Growing Impact: From Local Need to Global Reach
This year, the Giving Machine program expanded to three Indiana locations: Clay Terrace in Carmel, the Carmel Christkindlmarkt, and—new for 2025—a site in Bloomington. Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam expressed pride in the city’s role, noting the addition of a second machine at the Christkindlmarkt and the importance of teaching children about giving. “We’re filled with gratitude,” she said. “It helps families create legacies around helping others.”
Since 2023, Indiana’s Giving Machines have generated over 13,000 donated items and services valued at more than $400,000. That’s tangible help, delivered directly to those who need it most.
State Treasurer Daniel Elliott summed up the program’s ethos: “In a world that often emphasizes division, today we’re showing here in Indiana that we do things different. Hoosiers know how to serve, how to look out for each other and how to bring hope.”
Stories Behind the Donations: Real Needs, Real Change
For some, Carmel’s affluence masks the struggles that exist beneath the surface. Amanda Klotsch from the Carmel Youth Assistance Program explained, “People are shocked that Carmel has students who need this help—but we get about 107 referrals a year.” Since its inception, the program has supported more than 2,000 students with mentoring, tutoring, and basic necessities.
HATCH for Hunger focuses on food insecurity, particularly the lack of protein for families. COO Andrew Howerton relayed a parent’s relief thanks to HATCH’s weekend protein packs: “For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t afraid of Saturday.” For Howerton, the Giving Machines are more than a fun holiday gesture—they’re “acts of compassion sent directly into kitchens and dinner tables.”
Brightlane Learning’s CEO, Kelly Coker, shared the story of Amy, a third-grader who started school unable to read her own name. Daily one-on-one literacy sessions changed her life. “We support over 800 students experiencing homelessness or housing instability each year,” Coker said. “These resources help break the cycle of homelessness and end generational poverty.”
Dove Recovery House for Women, represented by CEO Wendy Noe, highlighted Christie—a graduate who rebuilt her life, earned multiple degrees, and reunited with her child. “Your support ensures women like Christie have a home, food, and the necessities they need to become sober and self-sufficient,” Noe emphasized.
Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Kyle Beaty recounted the joy of Maya, a 5-year-old whose wish to “meet and ride a unicorn” became the foundation’s 20,000th granted wish. “It’s a bridge from treatment rooms to joy,” Beaty said, noting that more than 400 Hoosier children are currently waiting for wishes.
Building Family Traditions Around Giving
For many, the Giving Machines have become a family affair. The Harrington family of Tippecanoe County shared how their six children raised donation money through bake sales, eager to contribute on their own terms. “All the kids have this innate desire to give,” Sarah Harrington said. “They wanted to do it themselves.”
In 2026, eight charities are benefitting from Indiana’s Giving Machines: Make-A-Wish Foundation OH/KY/IN, HATCH for Hunger, Brightlane Learning, Dove Recovery House for Women, Carmel Youth Assistance Program, Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Lifting Hands International, and Right to Play.
Carmel’s two Giving Machines are strategically placed—one at the Christkindlmarkt on the Monon Greenway and another at Clay Terrace—providing convenient access for all residents and visitors eager to participate in the spirit of giving.
For organizers, volunteers, and donors, the Giving Machines have become more than a seasonal novelty; they’re a growing tradition that reflects the heart of Carmel and the broader Indiana community.
Assessment: The evolution of Carmel’s Giving Machines from a local experiment to a cornerstone of community giving demonstrates the city’s capacity for meaningful, sustained generosity. By making philanthropy simple and accessible, Carmel has helped redefine holiday traditions, proving that compassion can be both ordinary and transformative. The stories of local families and nonprofits reveal how a small act—a button pressed on a machine—can ripple outward, shaping lives and building legacies of hope. Sources: The Indiana Citizen.