🌟 Light the World Giving Machine
We were honored to attend the ribbon cutting for the Light the World Giving Machine, now officially open at Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville!
From November 20 through December 9, 2025, this unique vending machine provides a meaningful way for community members to support local and international charities. Instead of buying snacks, visitors can “purchase” items that go directly to organizations serving individuals and families in need.
đź“Ť Location
The Giving Machine is located inside the mall, right outside Target, near the food court at Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville, IA.
🤝 Charities Featured
This year’s Giving Machine benefits:
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Camp Courageous
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Stead Family Children’s Hospital
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Midwest Food Bank
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Central Furniture Rescue (yes that’s us)
🛍️ What You Can Give
Each machine offers a variety of essential items.
For Central Furniture Rescue, donors can choose to provide:
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A can opener
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A dresser
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Bedding
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A child’s comfort bag with a stuffed animal and book
Your support through the Giving Machine helps us turn a place to live into a home for families transitioning out of crisis.
đź’ł How It Works
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All donations are made via card payment
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100% of your purchase goes directly to the charity you select
This is a simple, joyful way to give back during the holiday season, and we’re grateful to be included among the featured charities. If you’re in the area, we encourage you to stop by, swipe your card, and share the light!
✨ We Hit Capacity—Because of YOU!
A huge thank-you to the DoubleTree Hotel for an extraordinary furniture donation! To make space and prepare these pieces for families in need, we’re pausing all furniture donations for now.
🏡 We are still accepting:
• Household items
• Twin mattresses and box springs (5 years old or newer)
We’ll let you know as soon as we’re ready for more furniture.
Our community is amazing! đź’›
What we do
We collect basic furniture and household items to provide to those transitioning from homelessness into their own homes.
You can help us accomplish our mission by donating money and volunteering your time and talents.
We receive donations of basic furniture and household items, rescuing them from being sent to the landfill. Then we deliver the beds, dressers, kitchenware, etc. to our clients according to their needs, at no cost, to help turn a house into a home.
We receive client referrals from the area homeless and women’s shelters (See Our Partners page for more infomation). Our clients have worked very hard to overcome homelessness and are moving into their own housing.
Success Stories
We are committed to helping people who need it most. Read about their experiences and successes with Central Furniture Rescue.
Amber: The Comforts of Home
With six kids aged 10 and under, Amber has her hands full. She was working with Helping Hands for [...]
Delah
One day Delah packed up and left Chicago, coming to Cedar Rapids looking for a fresh start. With two [...]
Brittany: Our Own Space
From the derecho to the pandemic, this year has thrown Brittany a lot of curveballs. Homeless with three kids [...]
