Vienna, Austria. November 13, 2025 — Holiday shoppers in Vienna are discovering a new way to make a difference. On Thursday, 13 November 2025, the city welcomed its first-ever Giving Machines, bright red vending machines that dispense compassion instead of candy, inviting passersbys to transform ordinary spending into acts of global kindness.
Representatives from prominent local NGOs - VinziWerke, Ronald McDonald Kinderhilfe, World Vision, and Diakonie - gathered for the ribbon cutting ceremony. The festive atmosphere, with live musical performances filling the air, invited the curious public to line up to make their first donations.
The Giving Machines are part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ global Christmas initiative, launched in 2017 to inspire charitable giving in creative, accessible ways. Rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, who ministered to the poor and lifted the weary, this initiative invites donors to follow His example by purchasing items that meet real needs - meals for families, medicine, school supplies, or in some cases livestock for developing communities.
In Austria, the Giving Machines partners include VinziWerke who provide daily shelter and essential support for hundreds of people experiencing homelessness; Ronald McDonald Kinderhilfe which offers “homes away from home” for families of seriously ill children near major hospitals; World Vision Österreich which focuses on helping children and communities overcome poverty and hunger, and Diakonie Österreich, one of the nation’s largest social service organisations, which supports thousands through education, healthcare, refugee aid, and social inclusion programs.
All donations go directly to the participating organisations, with 100 percent of funds reaching the selected charities.
Diakonia Director Maria Katharina Moser emphasised, “the Giving Machine makes social commitment and Christian charity tangible during Advent. Together, we can provide very concrete help for people in need - such as a healthy meal, learning materials, or medical care for people without health insurance.”
Since the program began, Giving Machines around the world have raised more than $22 million US dollars, funding projects in dozens of countries. From New York to Manila, and now Vienna, the movement continues to grow as people of all backgrounds unite around the shared desire to help others.
Elder Rubén V. Alliaud, the President of the Europe Central Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, attended the event and expressed that the Vienna launch “shows how small, personal choices can multiply into something beautiful for the whole community.”
Representatives from the partner NGOs shared stories of how even modest contributions can have life-changing effects, a meal, a warm coat, a schoolbook, each symbolising hope.
The Giving Machines will remain open to the public throughout the Christmas season, offering everyone in Vienna the chance to take part in something truly meaningful: giving joy to others, one button at a time.