Vending Machine Dispenses Essentials To UK's Homeless

Published on 14/4/2018

At first sight, Action Hunger’s bright orange and white vending machine at the entrance of the Sussex Street subway in Nottingham, UK, appears like any other. However, look closer, and you will realize that the wide range of products inside have no price. That’s because the goods are not to fufill daily cravings but to provide the area’s homeless with free and easy access to essentials like socks, toothbrushes, fresh fruit, energy bars, and water.

To access the goods, the person first has to obtain an electronic card from The Friary, a day center for the homeless that has been in operation for over 30 years. To ensure everyone gets a fair share, each cardholder is allowed only three items of their choice a day. To continue receiving the benefit, he/she has to check in with an advenced partner organization every week, failure to do so it cancels the electronic card usage.