What if giving to someone in need was as easy as buying a bag of chips from a vending machine?

Well, it is — and on Thursday, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston helped with a live demonstration of just how easy it is.

Johnston joined carolers and other holiday merrymakers at the Cherry Creek North Winter Wanderland, officially kicking off the season of giving and setting the first Giving Machines in motion.

Giving Machines make it simple to give back to the community.

Much like an office vending machine, passersby can contribute by choosing from 30 items supporting local and global charities with just a credit card swipe.

Donation options include essentials such as hot meals, bedding, socks, wellness visits, and monthly bus passes. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints covers the operating costs for the vending machines, allowing 100% of donations to go directly to one of the five local or two national charities.

Local charities for 2024 include Lutheran Family Services, Mile High United Way, Canine Partners of the Rockies, Family Promise of Greater Denver, and Children’s Diabetes Foundation.

Feeling extra generous?

There’s code for that.

Type in 777 as the item code on the Giving Machine’s keypad and one of each item will be donated, according to a press release from the event’s organizers. This year’s 777 amount comes to just over $1,800, and would be equally distributed among each charity.

The first Giving Machines were launched in Salt Lake City in 2017 and have since raised $22 million globally.

Donations are eligible for tax deductions and may also be eligible for employer matching programs.