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Church giving machines distribute checks to Safford nonprofits, organizers say thousands helped
Summary
Representatives of a Church 'Light the World' giving‑machine initiative presented checks to three local nonprofits in Safford and described specific uses and estimated numbers of people helped; council paused briefly for photos and thanked volunteers.
At the March 24 Safford City Council meeting, Todd Haney represented the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints' "Light the World" giving‑machine initiative and presented checks to three local nonprofit partners, saying organizers track impact by the number of lives affected rather than dollar totals.
Haney told the council the giving machines had been in the Gila Valley for three years and that local donations supported three area charities: Mount Graham Safe House, Our Neighbors Farm and Pantry, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. He said more than half of the contributions at local machines went to the three local charities and presented symbolic checks on their behalf.
Representatives from the recipient organizations described how the donations would be used. The Mount Graham Safe House outreach coordinator thanked volunteers and said the donation would help clients pay for ID documents, clothing, shelter support and legal services. A representative for Our Neighbors Farm and Pantry said the gift would allow the pantry to provide staples such as meat, milk and eggs to more than a thousand families and told a brief anecdote about a client who returned to give back. A representative for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul described hotel stays, underwear and socks for children, gas cards for medical travel and utility assistance as examples of how donations would be used.
During the presentation, staff and volunteers gave local impact estimates cited by the organizers: Mount Graham Safe House — about 1,857 lives impacted; Our Neighbors Farm and Pantry — about 1,158 lives impacted; Society of St. Vincent de Paul — about 7,441 lives impacted, a combined total presented as roughly 10,456 lives impacted in the valley. Council members and the mayor thanked the volunteers and held a photo opportunity.
The council did not take action beyond accepting the presentation and allowing the photo opportunity; donations and distribution remain managed by the nonprofit partners.
