December 15, 2024 • 30 mins
You can give back to people in need this holiday season through the Light the World Giving Machines. Big changes are coming to the way Oregonians recycle.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
Welcome to Local Voices. I'm Brad Bord.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
This week how you can use the Light the World
Giving Machines to help others who are in need. And
the Oregon Recycling Modernization Act takes EF back next year.
It'll start major changes in the way we recycle items
in Oregon. Shoppers at Washington Square Mall have an opportunity
to help nonprofits with the simple use of offending machine.
(00:29):
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is
bringing their Light the World Giving Machines to Portment for
a second year. Joining us on Local Voices is Dennis Gibson.
Dennis tell us about the program.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Well, first off, thanks for having us, Brad. And you know, really,
the Light the World Giving Machine is an annual Christmas
initiative by the Church of Jesus Christ's Latterday Saints and
it's really to invite everybody to celebrate the birth and
life of Jesus Christ and follow his example by serving others.
You know, the church introduced the World initiative on twenty
sixteen and since that period of time it's generated over
(01:01):
thirty two million dollars to various charities that are across
the street or around the world. And really they're a
red vending machine with a little bit of a twist.
Instead of dispensing product that you will consume, they allow
you to donate tangible items that will help those in need.
And again, whether they live across the street from you,
in your own community or around the world. And we
(01:24):
really call them the vending machine with a heart because
they truly do have a heart and it's just a fun,
unique way that you're able to have that instant, active
kindness and it's very memorable for families to attend and
to donate to this great cause. And again, one hundred
percent of the costs are covered by the church and
so this year are nonprofits or Sunshine Division, Catholic Charities,
(01:47):
Community Warehouse with Love Oregon, and Open House Ministries, and
the Church of Jesus Christ again covers all one hundred
percent of the costs that are associated and expenses and
receives no financial benefit. And so it's just really a
wonderful program that really gives back to a lot of
individuals around the.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
World that is terrific. Where are the machines located here
in the Portland area.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
So this is our second year and they'll be located
right by the Cheesecake Factory in Washington Square Mall and
it's a great location and it was a wonderful event
last year and we're expecting to be even more wonderful
this year.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
So looking at the machines, they do look like a
typical vending machine. So after making con donation, you get
something from the machine.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
What is that? You know?
Speaker 3 (02:31):
They really are easy to use. They're very simple, and
we'll have volunteers there helping people if they have any
questions or concerns. And so you simply determine which items
you want to select, you go through and you add
them to your list. Everybody's doing a lot of that
online right now. And once you select those items, you
push the button to pay for it, and once you
pay for it, they drop down from the machine itself
(02:53):
down into the bottom and then afterwards you'll get a
receipt that you can take with you. You can have
it sent to you as a text message or an email.
And then the families love to take the big pictures
that we have of each of the cards that they've purchased,
and they'll get a picture that they can send out
to their family and friends and some have used it
for annual Christmas cards, so it's pretty cool.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
That's great, and then it just feeds off of that,
especially when it hit social media and other people find
out about the machines.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
Are there varying amounts that you can donate?
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Yeah, there really is. It starts as low as twenty
two dollars and it goes ups and the twenty two
dollars is for actually one hundred polio vaccines and goes
up two hundred and sixty dollars, which is for a mattress.
It's very much in need at this point.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
I think you may have mentioned this earlier, but tell
us about how large the program is.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
It's not just in the US, right, No.
Speaker 3 (03:41):
It's not, as I said earlier. You know, in twenty
twenty three we were in sixty one locations across seven countries,
and this year we are in one hundred and six
cities in five continents, in thirteen countries, including Australia, Canada,
El Savado, Guatemala, Hondurs, Hong Kong, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama,
(04:04):
the Philippines, United Kingdom, and the United States and Portland, Oregon.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
Wow, that is amazing now, one of the charities is
the Sunshine Division. Executive director Kyle Cambrook joins us on
Local Voices. Kyle tell us about the Sunshine Division. What
is it and what does it do.
Speaker 4 (04:21):
Well.
Speaker 5 (04:21):
We're a local nonprofit food relief organization that uniquely was
started by the Portland Police Bureau in the City of
Portland back in the early nineteen twenties. The Mayor, the
Police Bureau and our first police Reserves. We ever, had
a bunch of World War One vets, got together and
decided that taking food out to families in the Goose
Hollow neighborhood of southwest Portland on Christmas Eve was the
(04:44):
right thing to do. And after you do that a
couple of years in a row, becomes a tradition and
the local radio media, as we'd have it, dubbed these
police officers the Sunshine Boys, which turned into the Sunshine Division.
And so you fast forward about four decades later. We
became a five oh one seed three nonprofit in the
(05:05):
nineteen sixties, still closely working with the city and the
Police Bureau, and another six decades later, here we are
and on Saturday to December twenty first for the one
hundred and second year in a row, the Sunshine Division,
with the help of an army of over one thousand
volunteers and the Portland Police Bureau and members of the
City of Portland, are going to home deliver food just
like we did back in the nineteen twenty So we're
(05:26):
going to deliver to twenty five hundred homes this Saturday,
similar to what we did in the nineteen twenties. And
so we've always been about helping people, helping people at
the holidays, and it's always been centered around food, and
so to be a part of this amazing program is
tremendous because food insecurity, frankly has never been as high
in the Portland metro or not as high since around
(05:48):
the Great Depression, and so programs like this that help
fund our operation because we are completely donor funded, like oh,
I'm sure all the other partners here. Local donations allow
us to do our work and feed local family. And
so being a part of this is a huge boost
and a huge help to our efforts because frankly, we've
never been busier in my many years with the organization.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Wow, how will money from the light of the World
giving machines be used by the Sunshine Division, do you
use it to buy food?
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (06:15):
So, I mean, as Dennis mentioned, it's great because the donor,
the person that walks through Washington Square gets that choice
of whatever charity, whatever program, and sometimes it's multiple gifts,
or sometimes people even choose one of everything, which is amazing.
But in the case of Sunshine Division, if you'd like
to buy a week's worth of groceries for someone, if
you'd like to buy ten jars of peanut butter, if
(06:37):
you'd like to provide fifty dollars worth of healthy snacks
or a thirty pound bag of rice, those are the
types of things you're going to see in the giving
machines for Sunshine Division, and different charities that have different
missions are going to have different items that speak to
what they're doing. And so food insecurity and feeding local
families is something you're passionate about. You know, Sunshine Division
(06:57):
is there, but of course there's going to be a
number of other great local organizations doing all sorts of things,
and so when you walk up to the giving machine,
you really get to kind of see what is it
that speaks to you this holiday season, and you know,
how might you support a local charity that's helping people
right here in our backyard.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
Another nonprofit is Community Warehouse. Anna Karnitsky is executive director
of Community Warehouse. Anna tell us about your organization.
Speaker 4 (07:23):
Sure, thanks, Brad So Community Warehouse we're also local to
the Portland metro area. We're a furniture bank, and our
mission is to provide furniture and household items to our
neighbors overcoming adversity.
Speaker 6 (07:35):
So for folks who've.
Speaker 4 (07:37):
Recently arrived in organ due to a refugee crisis or
a natural disaster, or for people transitioning out of homelessness
or leaving a domestic violence situation. When they get into
their new place, one of the biggest questions is what
am I going to do about furniture?
Speaker 6 (07:52):
And that's where Community Warehouse steps in.
Speaker 4 (07:54):
So we accept referrals from more than one hundred and
eighty local social service agencies, including school programs and hospitals
and clinics and faith communities, and folks who get a
referral to the warehouse through these programs, people who've gotten
themselves in their families through some really unimaginable circumstances, have
the opportunity to shop in our furniture banks.
Speaker 6 (08:15):
For all the things they need to turn their house
into a home.
Speaker 4 (08:17):
So that's mattresses and box springs, bedding and pillows, dressers, nightstands,
tables and chairs, kitchen items, sofas, armchairs, rugs, art lamps,
like anything that you would need to turn an empty
space into a comfortable, functional home.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
So how will donations to the Light of the World
giving machine help community warehouse? Will it help buy some
of those items?
Speaker 4 (08:40):
Yes, so we typically rely on gently used items to
be donated to the Furniture Bank to help us furnish up.
Speaker 6 (08:48):
To seventy homes a week.
Speaker 4 (08:51):
But it is incredibly special for folks to be able
to pick out new items as well, especially those items
that get a lot of personal wear and tear. So
some of the that'll be in the giving machines are
you could buy a pillow, a sheet set, mattress or
pots and pans for someone experiencing furniture poverty. And it's
(09:12):
great to get those items new and people are so
excited to be able to pick those out when they
come through. And yeah, ultimately it's so great because it's
something that anyone can participate in that will really directly
impact people in your community.
Speaker 6 (09:27):
Transitioning from homelessness and other crisis.
Speaker 4 (09:30):
So we're just really grateful to be part of this
and excited for folks to be able to get to
do their holiday shopping at Washington Square Mall and stop
by and learn about these great local organizations.
Speaker 6 (09:41):
So we're yeah, it's much needed.
Speaker 4 (09:45):
As I said, we were really the region's biggest furniture bank,
and we're furnishing up to seventy homes a week, and
so these items will go immediately and directly to folks
right in our community. For to have a bed to
sleep on and pillow to rest your head at night,
it really is a huge help for our neighbors.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
Now, With Love Oregon's another organization that will benefit from
the light the World Giving machines. Vanessa Gomez Gerberg is
the executive director. Tell us about With Love Oregon.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
What is it?
Speaker 7 (10:17):
So?
Speaker 8 (10:17):
Our mission is to actually help foster families change the
lives of children ages zero to six by providing resources
that nurture dignity, hope, and community. So as soon as
a child enters a foster care system, oftentimes they're coming
with very little and so we make it really easy
for foster families to go straight to our website submit
(10:39):
a request for support, and we have a huge warehouse
here located in Tigered, Oregon, full of all the essentials
that you need, from brand new car seats to new
and like new gear, clothing, shoes, toys, books, hygiene. I mean,
we've got a lot of really wonderful items that we
want to get into the hands of these children so
(11:01):
that they can thrive as they're entering care. And also
it really helps to reduce the financial responsibilities that come
along with saying yes to welcoming children into your home.
Foster families do not receive any reimbursement for the children
and their care until the end of the month, so
it's really on them, especially in those first thirty days,
(11:23):
to resource themselves well to get the children set up.
In addition to the first time request, they can actually
submit to request every ninety days and with Love is
actually serving the entire state of Oregon and southwest Washington.
Just last week, we actually had a caseworker come from
Umatilla County to pick up for four families and that
(11:45):
was nine children. She actually is going to need to
come back because she did not have room to take
everything that we had ready for them, So really proud
of what we're able to do here for our children.
On average, we're serving about one hundred children per month.
August alone we served one hundred and fifty one, so
the need is great and just really honored to be
able to support families.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
Well, that is terrific.
Speaker 2 (12:07):
So how will donations too with Love Oregon through the
Light the World giving machines be used.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
Will you buy some of those items?
Speaker 8 (12:16):
Yes, And that's what's really special about these donations is
that because we do receive used items from the community,
we do have a really high emphasis on dignity, so
we're pretty picky about what we receive, but we also
want to make sure that there are new items as well,
and so some of the items that we're able to
purchase with the gifts through Light the World will be gear.
(12:39):
Gear is so expensive, but those are the car seats,
those are the strollers, the high chairs, the bouncy seats,
things that are pretty helpful and essential when you want
to keep kids safe and make sure that they have
what they need to safely get out, you know, into
the store or to the park and not lose any kiddos.
When you've got a lot of kiddos with you. I
(12:59):
speak from experience. In addition, we've got clothing and shoes again,
we want to do a good mix of new and
like new items and then also books and betting. So
really want to make sure children are having the essentials
to be able to sleep safely and securely with their
items to call their own.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
Really that's great, Vanessa, thank you.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
Let's return to Dennis Gibson again with a length of
World Giving Machine. Dennis again give us details of where
the machines are located and what people can do to
make donations.
Speaker 3 (13:30):
Yes, the machines will be located in Washington Square Mall,
right by the Cheesecake factory, so they're easy to find,
and there'll be three machines there from December sixteenth through
January fifth, and we'll be open the entire time that
Mall hours are open. Again, we'll have volunteers right there
ready to help. We also have, in addition to the
five local charities, we have two global charities. One is UNICEF,
(13:54):
and if you purchase something from UNICEF you can look
at getting the polio shots is a wonderful gift. And
then another one from Lifting Hands is three chickens for
thirty dollars. And when you buy chickens or goats, you
change the world for people because you provide them with
a source of income, you provide them with jobs, and
you provide them with food. So really it's a win
(14:16):
win win everywhere. So it's a wonderful initiative that's taking
place here in the Portland market. We invite all families
within the community to come and visit the giving machines,
to donate what you can, to help where you can,
and again, we're all in this together and we love
the opportunity to give, and it's a simple, easy way
to perform that gift.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
Thanks to Kyle Camberg with a Sunshine Division, an A.
Karnitsky with Community Warehouse, and Vanessa Gomez Gomberg from with
Love Oregon, along with Dennis Gibson with the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints telling us about the
light of the world giving machines to help several nonprofits.
The machines are located at Washington Square Mall near the
Cheesecake Factory. Starting on December sixteenth, the Oregon Recycling Modernization
(15:01):
Act starts taking effect next summer.
Speaker 1 (15:03):
It'll significantly change.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
The way recycled materials are handled in Oregon. Arianne Sperry Well,
the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is helping to implement
the program. Arianne tell us about the Oregon Recycling Modernization Act.
Speaker 7 (15:18):
The Recycling Modernization Act brings producers of paper, packaging, and
food serviceware to the table to tackle systemic issues with
the recycling system. So in twenty seventeen, major disruptions in
international recycling markets highlighted some of the ways that our
recycling system wasn't really working as expected and created opportunities
(15:40):
to take a closer look at those challenges. So d
EQ caaned a steering committee to discuss the dynamics of
Oregon's recycling system and consider ways to create a recycling
system that is responsible, resilient, and optimizes the environmental benefits
of recycling.
Speaker 2 (15:59):
So last mon a rule was adopted by the Environmental
Quality Commission.
Speaker 1 (16:03):
What does the adoption of that rule do?
Speaker 7 (16:06):
The new rules really lay the foundation for important updates
to Oregon's recycling system that will bring modern, convenient and
responsible recycling to our state. Producers of packaging, paper, and
food service where will pay into a program to ensure
that what people put in their recycling bin actually gets recycled.
(16:29):
The law of the Recycling Modernization Act was passed in
twenty twenty one, and since then, DEEQ and hundreds of
interested parties have been working together to plan implementation of
the law, and the recently adopted rules reflect the results
of several years of conversations.
Speaker 2 (16:45):
Well Oregon be the first state to do something like
this or are there other states or other countries that
have similar fees on products for recycling.
Speaker 7 (16:55):
Yeah, this is a type of product stewardship program called
extended producer responsibility and where producers are taking responsibility for
managing their products at the end of life. And this
is a kind of a program that has been used
(17:15):
in Europe in Canada for a long time. Several other
states have also passed extended producer responsibility laws for packaging.
Oregon is the first to implement one and will be
rolling out our launch next summer.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
I saw that there's performance standards that are set for
facilities that sort oregans recycling materials. What does it mean
to have performance standards set for those facilities?
Speaker 7 (17:47):
These rules will make organs recycling infrastructure, processing infrastructure more effective,
efficient and transparent and ensure that the materials that we
place in our recycling binds are actually being recycled. Recycling
processing facilities will participate in a new permit program and
meet new requirements.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
So then you mentioned that fees would be applied to
products to raise money for Oregan's recycling processing infrastructure. How
are those fees set and when do the companies pay them?
Speaker 7 (18:20):
A Producer Responsibility Organization will form to administer and implement
most elements of the Recycling Modernization Act, and the fees
they collect from producers will be distributed to support and
expand recycling services in a variety of ways across the state.
And so producers will start paying fees to the Producer
(18:42):
Responsibility Organization in next summer. And the Producer Responsibility Organization
has drafted a program plan where they say here's how
we're going to meet the requirements of the new program
and setting a fee schedule for producers is part of
(19:03):
that program plan.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
And so are those formed with representatives from businesses in
like particular categories like you mentioned food service. Where would
those businesses come together to form that that group.
Speaker 7 (19:19):
There are sixty different material reporting categories and the fees
are different for each of the materials, depending on how
the costs of managing the material. And at this point,
while Organ's law does allow for multiple producer responsibility organizations
to form, there's one perspective pro called Circular Action Alliance
(19:42):
that has submitted a draft program plan and is encouraging
producers to join that organization. And they have a lot
of producer already signed up.
Speaker 1 (19:55):
That would seem to make sense.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
Otherwise it would get really confusing if you had sixty
of those organizations.
Speaker 7 (20:00):
Oh yeah, right, although there doesn't. You could have more organizations,
and if a particular type of material has any special considerations,
it may in the future makes sense for another organization
to form. But at this point there's one.
Speaker 2 (20:19):
So do those organizations or in this case, the one organization,
do they have to come up with what happens to
the recycled material or are they only in charge of
getting the material to one location.
Speaker 7 (20:32):
The Recycling Modernization Act builds off of Organs existing recycling
collection and processing infrastructure, so local governments will continue to
regulate collection of recycling waste. Hoolers will continue to collect
(20:53):
the material and take it to the recycling processors. The
recycling processors will need to get a permit and meet
new performance standards like for sorting, quality contamination in the
bails of sorted materials. The recycling processors will then send
(21:17):
the materials to a responsible end market that will ensure
that the material gets processed into a new material.
Speaker 2 (21:27):
Yeah what if there is no end market for certain
products that need to be recycled.
Speaker 7 (21:33):
Yeah, so not all materials are on the recycling acceptance list.
So one of the pieces of this law is it
establishes two recycling acceptance lists. One is for local governments
to collect like your typical set of materials that you
(21:56):
could put in your recycling bin either at a depot
or at your curb. This is a new list that
will be for would be statewide, so whether you live
in Hillsborough or Medford or Grants Pass, you can recycle
the same materials, which is not the case currently. So
(22:19):
the law provides more access to recycling systems for communities
across Oregon. And the materials were placed on the list
based on a set of criteria that are in the
law that ensure that the materials are providing sound environmental benefits.
(22:44):
And in one of those things is whether responsible end
markets exist for the material, so that has been considered.
That was part of the first rulemaking. The equ CAN
conducted the wrapped up a year ago in November of
twenty twenty three, where we established the new recycling acceptance
(23:07):
list based on the statutory criteria and ensuring that when
we put something in our recycling bin it's producing the
environmental benefits that we expect from recycling.
Speaker 2 (23:21):
It sounds like it is going to be a dramatic
change from what we currently have as a recycling system
in Oregon.
Speaker 1 (23:27):
Talk to me a little bit about that.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
I mean, this is a big deal, and it's happening
over several years, right, I mean it starts next summer,
but it takes several years for it to phase in.
Speaker 7 (23:36):
That's right. So this is a rolling start in next
summer is the launch of this new recycling system. But
the amount of change that you see will depend on
where you live and what types of recycling services your
community already has. So the new program will begin rolling
(23:59):
out July one to twenty twenty five. A lot of
the modernization of the system will be complete by the
end of twenty twenty seven, and a lot of the
changes are happening out of sight of the average Oregonian,
So they're very important for ensuring that recycling delivers environmental benefits.
(24:20):
I think a lot of us think, hey, when I
put something in my bin, that means it's getting recycled.
And that's the beginning of the recycling process. And then
the material is collected, it's processed, and then it needs
to go to an end market that is going to
ensure that it gets used and used responsibly. So people
(24:44):
will see some changes to their list depending on where
they live, and they will also have the assurance that
when they're recycling that it's it's delivering its promise.
Speaker 2 (24:56):
Is it possible to describe what kind of of products
would be part of this program or is it really
any I mean, would if I bought a bag of
yard fertilizer with the plastic in that bag, would that
be included?
Speaker 7 (25:10):
Yes? Yeah, So it's for most packaging that you see
in a store and materials that you already put in
your recycling container. It covers paper, printing and writing, paper packaging,
and food service ware. And there are some exemptions, but
(25:33):
most of those categories is included.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
When would the fee start July one? Five?
Speaker 7 (25:40):
Producers will start paying fees into the program and that
will start the flow of funding that can be distributed
to local governments. They're designated service providers recycling processors, so
the investments into the modernization of the system will begin.
(26:01):
July one, twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (26:03):
Katie Romano was the public affairs director for the program
and says Oregon isn't alone in developing this type of
recycling program.
Speaker 7 (26:10):
These are really significant changes. As Arianne mentioned, organ is
five states in the United States that's implementing an extended
producer responsibility law. So in a lot of ways, it
continues the tradition of organ being an innovator, organ thinking
critically and identifying a need in the system and then
(26:31):
creating something to meet the need that has been created.
And even though extended producer responsibility laws or EPR laws
are not new again, these have been very common in
Europe all over Canada. We have a lot of really
great resources information, a lot of evidence that we can
(26:54):
draw from while we're creating these programs or creating proposals
that again would address that need that was created in
the global recycling market disruptions in twenty seventeen. How I
like to explain, extended producer responsibility is just the producer
creates the product. The product is then purchased, and then
(27:17):
the producer kind of stays focused on how something was
made and it becomes more of a responsibility to the consumer,
the local government, the service providers, the haulers to transition
that product from the recycling bin to a responsible end market.
With this law, we're extending that responsibility beyond the shelves
(27:41):
at the supermarket. We're extending that responsibility to create a
more cohesive system in a more responsible system. Recognizing exactly
what Ariann had mentioned earlier. Recycling just starts by putting
it in the bin. There's so much more that happens
in that process, and so much more that we can
(28:01):
be mindful of to make sure that a product actually
gets recycled in a responsible and sustainable way.
Speaker 1 (28:08):
How will the companies be charged the fee?
Speaker 7 (28:11):
The producers will be reporting the amount of covered products
the paper, packaging and food service where that they sell
into Oregon every year, and the feef the pro is
setting forth a fee schedule, and so the fees will
(28:31):
be applied to the amount of covered products that the
producers report on an annual basis. The fee schedule will
be updated every year to cover the costs of the program.
And it's interesting people do ask whether we will see
an impact on our pocketbooks, and when we look to
(28:54):
our neighbors to the north, they have had extended producer
responsibility programs for packaging for a long time and they
have not seen for those provinces that do have EPR
for packaging versus those provinces that don't, they have not
seen price differences. One of the other pieces of information
(29:19):
we've heard from Canada is ninety percent of their fees
come from the largest companies that are maybe more able
to spread out the costs absorb them as a cost
of doing business.
Speaker 2 (29:32):
It's Aria and Sperry and Katie Romano with the Oregon
d EQ explaining the Oregon Recycling Modernization Act. There are
businesses that will be exempt. They include businesses with less
than five million dollars a year in global revenue or
produce less than one metric ton of covered recyclable products
sold in Oregon annually. Restaurants, single retail establishments, nonprofits, and
(29:55):
public entities are also exempt. You can learn more on
the deeq's website. Thanks for listening to Local Voices, I'm
brad Ford. You can hear past episodes on the iHeartRadio
app under the podcast tab. Local Voices is a public
affairs presentation from iHeartRadio.
Welcome to Local Voices. I'm Brad Bord.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
This week how you can use the Light the World
Giving Machines to help others who are in need. And
the Oregon Recycling Modernization Act takes EF back next year.
It'll start major changes in the way we recycle items
in Oregon. Shoppers at Washington Square Mall have an opportunity
to help nonprofits with the simple use of offending machine.
(00:29):
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is
bringing their Light the World Giving Machines to Portment for
a second year. Joining us on Local Voices is Dennis Gibson.
Dennis tell us about the program.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Well, first off, thanks for having us, Brad. And you know, really,
the Light the World Giving Machine is an annual Christmas
initiative by the Church of Jesus Christ's Latterday Saints and
it's really to invite everybody to celebrate the birth and
life of Jesus Christ and follow his example by serving others.
You know, the church introduced the World initiative on twenty
sixteen and since that period of time it's generated over
(01:01):
thirty two million dollars to various charities that are across
the street or around the world. And really they're a
red vending machine with a little bit of a twist.
Instead of dispensing product that you will consume, they allow
you to donate tangible items that will help those in need.
And again, whether they live across the street from you,
in your own community or around the world. And we
(01:24):
really call them the vending machine with a heart because
they truly do have a heart and it's just a fun,
unique way that you're able to have that instant, active
kindness and it's very memorable for families to attend and
to donate to this great cause. And again, one hundred
percent of the costs are covered by the church and
so this year are nonprofits or Sunshine Division, Catholic Charities,
(01:47):
Community Warehouse with Love Oregon, and Open House Ministries, and
the Church of Jesus Christ again covers all one hundred
percent of the costs that are associated and expenses and
receives no financial benefit. And so it's just really a
wonderful program that really gives back to a lot of
individuals around the.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
World that is terrific. Where are the machines located here
in the Portland area.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
So this is our second year and they'll be located
right by the Cheesecake Factory in Washington Square Mall and
it's a great location and it was a wonderful event
last year and we're expecting to be even more wonderful
this year.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
So looking at the machines, they do look like a
typical vending machine. So after making con donation, you get
something from the machine.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
What is that? You know?
Speaker 3 (02:31):
They really are easy to use. They're very simple, and
we'll have volunteers there helping people if they have any
questions or concerns. And so you simply determine which items
you want to select, you go through and you add
them to your list. Everybody's doing a lot of that
online right now. And once you select those items, you
push the button to pay for it, and once you
pay for it, they drop down from the machine itself
(02:53):
down into the bottom and then afterwards you'll get a
receipt that you can take with you. You can have
it sent to you as a text message or an email.
And then the families love to take the big pictures
that we have of each of the cards that they've purchased,
and they'll get a picture that they can send out
to their family and friends and some have used it
for annual Christmas cards, so it's pretty cool.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
That's great, and then it just feeds off of that,
especially when it hit social media and other people find
out about the machines.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
Are there varying amounts that you can donate?
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Yeah, there really is. It starts as low as twenty
two dollars and it goes ups and the twenty two
dollars is for actually one hundred polio vaccines and goes
up two hundred and sixty dollars, which is for a mattress.
It's very much in need at this point.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
I think you may have mentioned this earlier, but tell
us about how large the program is.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
It's not just in the US, right, No.
Speaker 3 (03:41):
It's not, as I said earlier. You know, in twenty
twenty three we were in sixty one locations across seven countries,
and this year we are in one hundred and six
cities in five continents, in thirteen countries, including Australia, Canada,
El Savado, Guatemala, Hondurs, Hong Kong, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama,
(04:04):
the Philippines, United Kingdom, and the United States and Portland, Oregon.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
Wow, that is amazing now, one of the charities is
the Sunshine Division. Executive director Kyle Cambrook joins us on
Local Voices. Kyle tell us about the Sunshine Division. What
is it and what does it do.
Speaker 4 (04:21):
Well.
Speaker 5 (04:21):
We're a local nonprofit food relief organization that uniquely was
started by the Portland Police Bureau in the City of
Portland back in the early nineteen twenties. The Mayor, the
Police Bureau and our first police Reserves. We ever, had
a bunch of World War One vets, got together and
decided that taking food out to families in the Goose
Hollow neighborhood of southwest Portland on Christmas Eve was the
(04:44):
right thing to do. And after you do that a
couple of years in a row, becomes a tradition and
the local radio media, as we'd have it, dubbed these
police officers the Sunshine Boys, which turned into the Sunshine Division.
And so you fast forward about four decades later. We
became a five oh one seed three nonprofit in the
(05:05):
nineteen sixties, still closely working with the city and the
Police Bureau, and another six decades later, here we are
and on Saturday to December twenty first for the one
hundred and second year in a row, the Sunshine Division,
with the help of an army of over one thousand
volunteers and the Portland Police Bureau and members of the
City of Portland, are going to home deliver food just
like we did back in the nineteen twenty So we're
(05:26):
going to deliver to twenty five hundred homes this Saturday,
similar to what we did in the nineteen twenties. And
so we've always been about helping people, helping people at
the holidays, and it's always been centered around food, and
so to be a part of this amazing program is
tremendous because food insecurity, frankly has never been as high
in the Portland metro or not as high since around
(05:48):
the Great Depression, and so programs like this that help
fund our operation because we are completely donor funded, like oh,
I'm sure all the other partners here. Local donations allow
us to do our work and feed local family. And
so being a part of this is a huge boost
and a huge help to our efforts because frankly, we've
never been busier in my many years with the organization.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Wow, how will money from the light of the World
giving machines be used by the Sunshine Division, do you
use it to buy food?
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (06:15):
So, I mean, as Dennis mentioned, it's great because the donor,
the person that walks through Washington Square gets that choice
of whatever charity, whatever program, and sometimes it's multiple gifts,
or sometimes people even choose one of everything, which is amazing.
But in the case of Sunshine Division, if you'd like
to buy a week's worth of groceries for someone, if
you'd like to buy ten jars of peanut butter, if
(06:37):
you'd like to provide fifty dollars worth of healthy snacks
or a thirty pound bag of rice, those are the
types of things you're going to see in the giving
machines for Sunshine Division, and different charities that have different
missions are going to have different items that speak to
what they're doing. And so food insecurity and feeding local
families is something you're passionate about. You know, Sunshine Division
(06:57):
is there, but of course there's going to be a
number of other great local organizations doing all sorts of things,
and so when you walk up to the giving machine,
you really get to kind of see what is it
that speaks to you this holiday season, and you know,
how might you support a local charity that's helping people
right here in our backyard.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
Another nonprofit is Community Warehouse. Anna Karnitsky is executive director
of Community Warehouse. Anna tell us about your organization.
Speaker 4 (07:23):
Sure, thanks, Brad So Community Warehouse we're also local to
the Portland metro area. We're a furniture bank, and our
mission is to provide furniture and household items to our
neighbors overcoming adversity.
Speaker 6 (07:35):
So for folks who've.
Speaker 4 (07:37):
Recently arrived in organ due to a refugee crisis or
a natural disaster, or for people transitioning out of homelessness
or leaving a domestic violence situation. When they get into
their new place, one of the biggest questions is what
am I going to do about furniture?
Speaker 6 (07:52):
And that's where Community Warehouse steps in.
Speaker 4 (07:54):
So we accept referrals from more than one hundred and
eighty local social service agencies, including school programs and hospitals
and clinics and faith communities, and folks who get a
referral to the warehouse through these programs, people who've gotten
themselves in their families through some really unimaginable circumstances, have
the opportunity to shop in our furniture banks.
Speaker 6 (08:15):
For all the things they need to turn their house
into a home.
Speaker 4 (08:17):
So that's mattresses and box springs, bedding and pillows, dressers, nightstands,
tables and chairs, kitchen items, sofas, armchairs, rugs, art lamps,
like anything that you would need to turn an empty
space into a comfortable, functional home.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
So how will donations to the Light of the World
giving machine help community warehouse? Will it help buy some
of those items?
Speaker 4 (08:40):
Yes, so we typically rely on gently used items to
be donated to the Furniture Bank to help us furnish up.
Speaker 6 (08:48):
To seventy homes a week.
Speaker 4 (08:51):
But it is incredibly special for folks to be able
to pick out new items as well, especially those items
that get a lot of personal wear and tear. So
some of the that'll be in the giving machines are
you could buy a pillow, a sheet set, mattress or
pots and pans for someone experiencing furniture poverty. And it's
(09:12):
great to get those items new and people are so
excited to be able to pick those out when they
come through. And yeah, ultimately it's so great because it's
something that anyone can participate in that will really directly
impact people in your community.
Speaker 6 (09:27):
Transitioning from homelessness and other crisis.
Speaker 4 (09:30):
So we're just really grateful to be part of this
and excited for folks to be able to get to
do their holiday shopping at Washington Square Mall and stop
by and learn about these great local organizations.
Speaker 6 (09:41):
So we're yeah, it's much needed.
Speaker 4 (09:45):
As I said, we were really the region's biggest furniture bank,
and we're furnishing up to seventy homes a week, and
so these items will go immediately and directly to folks
right in our community. For to have a bed to
sleep on and pillow to rest your head at night,
it really is a huge help for our neighbors.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
Now, With Love Oregon's another organization that will benefit from
the light the World Giving machines. Vanessa Gomez Gerberg is
the executive director. Tell us about With Love Oregon.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
What is it?
Speaker 7 (10:17):
So?
Speaker 8 (10:17):
Our mission is to actually help foster families change the
lives of children ages zero to six by providing resources
that nurture dignity, hope, and community. So as soon as
a child enters a foster care system, oftentimes they're coming
with very little and so we make it really easy
for foster families to go straight to our website submit
(10:39):
a request for support, and we have a huge warehouse
here located in Tigered, Oregon, full of all the essentials
that you need, from brand new car seats to new
and like new gear, clothing, shoes, toys, books, hygiene. I mean,
we've got a lot of really wonderful items that we
want to get into the hands of these children so
(11:01):
that they can thrive as they're entering care. And also
it really helps to reduce the financial responsibilities that come
along with saying yes to welcoming children into your home.
Foster families do not receive any reimbursement for the children
and their care until the end of the month, so
it's really on them, especially in those first thirty days,
(11:23):
to resource themselves well to get the children set up.
In addition to the first time request, they can actually
submit to request every ninety days and with Love is
actually serving the entire state of Oregon and southwest Washington.
Just last week, we actually had a caseworker come from
Umatilla County to pick up for four families and that
(11:45):
was nine children. She actually is going to need to
come back because she did not have room to take
everything that we had ready for them, So really proud
of what we're able to do here for our children.
On average, we're serving about one hundred children per month.
August alone we served one hundred and fifty one, so
the need is great and just really honored to be
able to support families.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
Well, that is terrific.
Speaker 2 (12:07):
So how will donations too with Love Oregon through the
Light the World giving machines be used.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
Will you buy some of those items?
Speaker 8 (12:16):
Yes, And that's what's really special about these donations is
that because we do receive used items from the community,
we do have a really high emphasis on dignity, so
we're pretty picky about what we receive, but we also
want to make sure that there are new items as well,
and so some of the items that we're able to
purchase with the gifts through Light the World will be gear.
(12:39):
Gear is so expensive, but those are the car seats,
those are the strollers, the high chairs, the bouncy seats,
things that are pretty helpful and essential when you want
to keep kids safe and make sure that they have
what they need to safely get out, you know, into
the store or to the park and not lose any kiddos.
When you've got a lot of kiddos with you. I
(12:59):
speak from experience. In addition, we've got clothing and shoes again,
we want to do a good mix of new and
like new items and then also books and betting. So
really want to make sure children are having the essentials
to be able to sleep safely and securely with their
items to call their own.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
Really that's great, Vanessa, thank you.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
Let's return to Dennis Gibson again with a length of
World Giving Machine. Dennis again give us details of where
the machines are located and what people can do to
make donations.
Speaker 3 (13:30):
Yes, the machines will be located in Washington Square Mall,
right by the Cheesecake factory, so they're easy to find,
and there'll be three machines there from December sixteenth through
January fifth, and we'll be open the entire time that
Mall hours are open. Again, we'll have volunteers right there
ready to help. We also have, in addition to the
five local charities, we have two global charities. One is UNICEF,
(13:54):
and if you purchase something from UNICEF you can look
at getting the polio shots is a wonderful gift. And
then another one from Lifting Hands is three chickens for
thirty dollars. And when you buy chickens or goats, you
change the world for people because you provide them with
a source of income, you provide them with jobs, and
you provide them with food. So really it's a win
(14:16):
win win everywhere. So it's a wonderful initiative that's taking
place here in the Portland market. We invite all families
within the community to come and visit the giving machines,
to donate what you can, to help where you can,
and again, we're all in this together and we love
the opportunity to give, and it's a simple, easy way
to perform that gift.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
Thanks to Kyle Camberg with a Sunshine Division, an A.
Karnitsky with Community Warehouse, and Vanessa Gomez Gomberg from with
Love Oregon, along with Dennis Gibson with the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints telling us about the
light of the world giving machines to help several nonprofits.
The machines are located at Washington Square Mall near the
Cheesecake Factory. Starting on December sixteenth, the Oregon Recycling Modernization
(15:01):
Act starts taking effect next summer.
Speaker 1 (15:03):
It'll significantly change.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
The way recycled materials are handled in Oregon. Arianne Sperry Well,
the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is helping to implement
the program. Arianne tell us about the Oregon Recycling Modernization Act.
Speaker 7 (15:18):
The Recycling Modernization Act brings producers of paper, packaging, and
food serviceware to the table to tackle systemic issues with
the recycling system. So in twenty seventeen, major disruptions in
international recycling markets highlighted some of the ways that our
recycling system wasn't really working as expected and created opportunities
(15:40):
to take a closer look at those challenges. So d
EQ caaned a steering committee to discuss the dynamics of
Oregon's recycling system and consider ways to create a recycling
system that is responsible, resilient, and optimizes the environmental benefits
of recycling.
Speaker 2 (15:59):
So last mon a rule was adopted by the Environmental
Quality Commission.
Speaker 1 (16:03):
What does the adoption of that rule do?
Speaker 7 (16:06):
The new rules really lay the foundation for important updates
to Oregon's recycling system that will bring modern, convenient and
responsible recycling to our state. Producers of packaging, paper, and
food service where will pay into a program to ensure
that what people put in their recycling bin actually gets recycled.
(16:29):
The law of the Recycling Modernization Act was passed in
twenty twenty one, and since then, DEEQ and hundreds of
interested parties have been working together to plan implementation of
the law, and the recently adopted rules reflect the results
of several years of conversations.
Speaker 2 (16:45):
Well Oregon be the first state to do something like
this or are there other states or other countries that
have similar fees on products for recycling.
Speaker 7 (16:55):
Yeah, this is a type of product stewardship program called
extended producer responsibility and where producers are taking responsibility for
managing their products at the end of life. And this
is a kind of a program that has been used
(17:15):
in Europe in Canada for a long time. Several other
states have also passed extended producer responsibility laws for packaging.
Oregon is the first to implement one and will be
rolling out our launch next summer.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
I saw that there's performance standards that are set for
facilities that sort oregans recycling materials. What does it mean
to have performance standards set for those facilities?
Speaker 7 (17:47):
These rules will make organs recycling infrastructure, processing infrastructure more effective,
efficient and transparent and ensure that the materials that we
place in our recycling binds are actually being recycled. Recycling
processing facilities will participate in a new permit program and
meet new requirements.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
So then you mentioned that fees would be applied to
products to raise money for Oregan's recycling processing infrastructure. How
are those fees set and when do the companies pay them?
Speaker 7 (18:20):
A Producer Responsibility Organization will form to administer and implement
most elements of the Recycling Modernization Act, and the fees
they collect from producers will be distributed to support and
expand recycling services in a variety of ways across the state.
And so producers will start paying fees to the Producer
(18:42):
Responsibility Organization in next summer. And the Producer Responsibility Organization
has drafted a program plan where they say here's how
we're going to meet the requirements of the new program
and setting a fee schedule for producers is part of
(19:03):
that program plan.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
And so are those formed with representatives from businesses in
like particular categories like you mentioned food service. Where would
those businesses come together to form that that group.
Speaker 7 (19:19):
There are sixty different material reporting categories and the fees
are different for each of the materials, depending on how
the costs of managing the material. And at this point,
while Organ's law does allow for multiple producer responsibility organizations
to form, there's one perspective pro called Circular Action Alliance
(19:42):
that has submitted a draft program plan and is encouraging
producers to join that organization. And they have a lot
of producer already signed up.
Speaker 1 (19:55):
That would seem to make sense.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
Otherwise it would get really confusing if you had sixty
of those organizations.
Speaker 7 (20:00):
Oh yeah, right, although there doesn't. You could have more organizations,
and if a particular type of material has any special considerations,
it may in the future makes sense for another organization
to form. But at this point there's one.
Speaker 2 (20:19):
So do those organizations or in this case, the one organization,
do they have to come up with what happens to
the recycled material or are they only in charge of
getting the material to one location.
Speaker 7 (20:32):
The Recycling Modernization Act builds off of Organs existing recycling
collection and processing infrastructure, so local governments will continue to
regulate collection of recycling waste. Hoolers will continue to collect
(20:53):
the material and take it to the recycling processors. The
recycling processors will need to get a permit and meet
new performance standards like for sorting, quality contamination in the
bails of sorted materials. The recycling processors will then send
(21:17):
the materials to a responsible end market that will ensure
that the material gets processed into a new material.
Speaker 2 (21:27):
Yeah what if there is no end market for certain
products that need to be recycled.
Speaker 7 (21:33):
Yeah, so not all materials are on the recycling acceptance list.
So one of the pieces of this law is it
establishes two recycling acceptance lists. One is for local governments
to collect like your typical set of materials that you
(21:56):
could put in your recycling bin either at a depot
or at your curb. This is a new list that
will be for would be statewide, so whether you live
in Hillsborough or Medford or Grants Pass, you can recycle
the same materials, which is not the case currently. So
(22:19):
the law provides more access to recycling systems for communities
across Oregon. And the materials were placed on the list
based on a set of criteria that are in the
law that ensure that the materials are providing sound environmental benefits.
(22:44):
And in one of those things is whether responsible end
markets exist for the material, so that has been considered.
That was part of the first rulemaking. The equ CAN
conducted the wrapped up a year ago in November of
twenty twenty three, where we established the new recycling acceptance
(23:07):
list based on the statutory criteria and ensuring that when
we put something in our recycling bin it's producing the
environmental benefits that we expect from recycling.
Speaker 2 (23:21):
It sounds like it is going to be a dramatic
change from what we currently have as a recycling system
in Oregon.
Speaker 1 (23:27):
Talk to me a little bit about that.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
I mean, this is a big deal, and it's happening
over several years, right, I mean it starts next summer,
but it takes several years for it to phase in.
Speaker 7 (23:36):
That's right. So this is a rolling start in next
summer is the launch of this new recycling system. But
the amount of change that you see will depend on
where you live and what types of recycling services your
community already has. So the new program will begin rolling
(23:59):
out July one to twenty twenty five. A lot of
the modernization of the system will be complete by the
end of twenty twenty seven, and a lot of the
changes are happening out of sight of the average Oregonian,
So they're very important for ensuring that recycling delivers environmental benefits.
(24:20):
I think a lot of us think, hey, when I
put something in my bin, that means it's getting recycled.
And that's the beginning of the recycling process. And then
the material is collected, it's processed, and then it needs
to go to an end market that is going to
ensure that it gets used and used responsibly. So people
(24:44):
will see some changes to their list depending on where
they live, and they will also have the assurance that
when they're recycling that it's it's delivering its promise.
Speaker 2 (24:56):
Is it possible to describe what kind of of products
would be part of this program or is it really
any I mean, would if I bought a bag of
yard fertilizer with the plastic in that bag, would that
be included?
Speaker 7 (25:10):
Yes? Yeah, So it's for most packaging that you see
in a store and materials that you already put in
your recycling container. It covers paper, printing and writing, paper packaging,
and food service ware. And there are some exemptions, but
(25:33):
most of those categories is included.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
When would the fee start July one? Five?
Speaker 7 (25:40):
Producers will start paying fees into the program and that
will start the flow of funding that can be distributed
to local governments. They're designated service providers recycling processors, so
the investments into the modernization of the system will begin.
(26:01):
July one, twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (26:03):
Katie Romano was the public affairs director for the program
and says Oregon isn't alone in developing this type of
recycling program.
Speaker 7 (26:10):
These are really significant changes. As Arianne mentioned, organ is
five states in the United States that's implementing an extended
producer responsibility law. So in a lot of ways, it
continues the tradition of organ being an innovator, organ thinking
critically and identifying a need in the system and then
(26:31):
creating something to meet the need that has been created.
And even though extended producer responsibility laws or EPR laws
are not new again, these have been very common in
Europe all over Canada. We have a lot of really
great resources information, a lot of evidence that we can
(26:54):
draw from while we're creating these programs or creating proposals
that again would address that need that was created in
the global recycling market disruptions in twenty seventeen. How I
like to explain, extended producer responsibility is just the producer
creates the product. The product is then purchased, and then
(27:17):
the producer kind of stays focused on how something was
made and it becomes more of a responsibility to the consumer,
the local government, the service providers, the haulers to transition
that product from the recycling bin to a responsible end market.
With this law, we're extending that responsibility beyond the shelves
(27:41):
at the supermarket. We're extending that responsibility to create a
more cohesive system in a more responsible system. Recognizing exactly
what Ariann had mentioned earlier. Recycling just starts by putting
it in the bin. There's so much more that happens
in that process, and so much more that we can
(28:01):
be mindful of to make sure that a product actually
gets recycled in a responsible and sustainable way.
Speaker 1 (28:08):
How will the companies be charged the fee?
Speaker 7 (28:11):
The producers will be reporting the amount of covered products
the paper, packaging and food service where that they sell
into Oregon every year, and the feef the pro is
setting forth a fee schedule, and so the fees will
(28:31):
be applied to the amount of covered products that the
producers report on an annual basis. The fee schedule will
be updated every year to cover the costs of the program.
And it's interesting people do ask whether we will see
an impact on our pocketbooks, and when we look to
(28:54):
our neighbors to the north, they have had extended producer
responsibility programs for packaging for a long time and they
have not seen for those provinces that do have EPR
for packaging versus those provinces that don't, they have not
seen price differences. One of the other pieces of information
(29:19):
we've heard from Canada is ninety percent of their fees
come from the largest companies that are maybe more able
to spread out the costs absorb them as a cost
of doing business.
Speaker 2 (29:32):
It's Aria and Sperry and Katie Romano with the Oregon
d EQ explaining the Oregon Recycling Modernization Act. There are
businesses that will be exempt. They include businesses with less
than five million dollars a year in global revenue or
produce less than one metric ton of covered recyclable products
sold in Oregon annually. Restaurants, single retail establishments, nonprofits, and
(29:55):
public entities are also exempt. You can learn more on
the deeq's website. Thanks for listening to Local Voices, I'm
brad Ford. You can hear past episodes on the iHeartRadio
app under the podcast tab. Local Voices is a public
affairs presentation from iHeartRadio.
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