POCATELLO — A group of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints youth and their leaders came together to raise money that will be used for the Light The World Giving Machine initiative coming to Pocatello next month.

Local church member Heather Hansen said her daughter Maddie had the idea to hold a garage sale after learning the Giving Machine would be in the Gate City.

"My first thought was to say it felt like too much," Hansen said. "But I considered and reached out to her youth leader, Maegan Stoddard, and she immediately took up the idea."

Stoddard and another church member, Danielle Hansen, of no relation to Heather or Maddie, coordinated with youth and adults to get the garage sale organized. It was held on a Friday and Saturday in late September at Heather Hansen's house.

"It was near the temple off Satterfield," Heather Hansen said. "My daughter and I worked on the poster."

The goal for the garage sale was to raise $1,250. Heather said $1,227 would be enough to buy each item in the Giving Machine once.

"We got that amount by 10 a.m. on Friday," Heather said. "By the end of the day on Saturday, we had $3,941."

Alongside the garage sale, Heather and Maddie also sold baked treats. Everyone was eager to support what they were doing when they saw the money was being raised for the Giving Machine.

"Several people paid over the price for what they were buying," Heather said. "It was a really special experience."

There were several items leftover after the garage sale was finished that Heather said will be donated to other nonprofits. There were a few boxes of books that will go to the Marshall Public Library and bags of clothes for the Bannock Youth Foundation.

"We have a few other things to sell online," Heather said. "The actual proceeds number may go up in a month."

Part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Light the World initiative, the Giving Machine program will provide select nonprofits in Pocatello, Idaho Falls and Rexburg with a variety of goods and services donated by area residents. This is the first time the Giving Machine will grace the East Idaho area.

The vending-style machine allows patrons to spend between $5 and $150 for items like hygiene kits, bedding essentials, application fees for housing and other charitable services to assist individuals and families who may be food insecure or without reliable housing.

In Pocatello, donors will be able to purchase goods and services for Bannock Youth Foundation, Bright Tomorrows, Aid For Friends, United Way of Southeastern Idaho and Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency.

"Through the Giving Machine, members of the community can purchase items that go directly to help the homeless, youth and young families, abused children, babies, veterans, seniors and more," Sherri Matson, the Pocatello lead for the Giving Machine program said during a news conference about the program last month. "Every item has a direct impact — a warm meal, a safe place to sleep or a small moment of joy for someone going through a difficult time."

The Giving Machine will be in Pocatello from Saturday, Nov. 15 to Sunday, Nov. 30 in the parking lot of the ICCU Headquarters at 4400 Central Way in Chubbuck. The machine will be accessible between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily, including Sundays and Thanksgiving.

Weather permitting, guests can also enjoy the splendor of the ICCU campus and its dazzling Christmas lights, along with photo opportunities and entertainment provided by local organizations throughout the day.

"The evenings are going to be absolutely beautiful and magical," Matson said last month. "We wanted to have a Hallmark experience here in Pocatello and I think we'll capture that."

"We will go as a group of youth and use those proceeds," Heather Hansen said about visiting the Giving Machine with money raised from the recent garage and bake sale event. "We'll have the youth take turns hitting the buttons to use the funds that we raised as a community."

Heather said the credit for the garage sale should go to Stoddard and Danielle. Without them, it never would have been possible.

"It was my daughter's idea," Heather said. "They took the brunt of the work and got the youth involved. It was fun to be a part of that."

Everyone is invited to come to ICCU when the Giving Machine will be there.

"There is going to be singing and performances," Heather said. "It's going to be a fun experience."