Detroit, MI

\u200bDetroit’s first ‘Giving Machines’ open in Campus Martius for holiday season

Published

1 year ago

November 14, 2024

$\u200bDetroit’s first ‘Giving Machines’ open in Campus Martius for holiday season$

Detroit — Want to help those in need of necessities such as a new car seat, a first-aid kit or a warm shower? Now there’s a new way in downtown Detroit to provide those and other goods and services to the less fortunate: reverse vending machines.

Thursday morning, officials from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints turned on two Giving Machines in Campus Martius, where passersby can buy items and services that range from blankets and boots to meals and hygiene products.

The tall red machines drew curious onlookers who snapped photos and checked out the donation options. Donna Orlando, 58, of Metamora, noticed the “warm boots” option and said the device should be available all the time.

“It gives people the opportunity to give whatever they can,” Orlando said. “I think it should be here all the time, not just for the holidays, because people could always use that kind of stuff.”

Until Dec. 8, donors can donate from $5 to $250 for items and services that include safe births, educational supplies, emergency shelter, beehives and goats that will be supplied via local and global charities. When a giver makes a purchase, a card for that good or service drops to the bottom of the machine, which dispenses a receipt.

La’Chelle Phillips, 35, of Detroit, said the machines are perfectly positioned to attract donations ahead of downtown Detroit’s holiday tree lighting Friday, Nov. 22. Phillips is a community activist with her mom on Detroit’s east side and said it’s “nice and convenient” for people to be able to donate for items and services in the downtown area.

“Bus passes: those are things people need. On my street (Park Grove), my mom started a block club and those are things we would give,” Phillips said.

“We are called to care for those in need and to be a light to the world,” said Jeff Day, a stake president for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the release. “We strive to follow the example of Jesus Christ by loving others as He loves each of us. We’re excited to come together with diverse faith communities to demonstrate this love.”

During the 2023 holiday season, about 600,000 people visited giving machines in Australia, Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines and the United States and purchased a total of $10.4 million in donations, according to the release. Since the machines were launched in 2017, more than $32 million has been collected.

The impact: 2 million meals for the hungry; 11,000 backpacks or boxes of school supplies; and 17,000 goats, 125,000 chickens, 2,100 beehives, 1,500 pigs and 1,400 sheep providing families with long-term nutrition and income potential.

The Detroit-area nonprofit beneficiaries are the Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan, Zaman International, Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County, Focus: HOPE and the Pope Francis Center.

Donations can also be made online, with 100% of proceeds going directly to the participating charities.

mjohnson@detroitnews.com

@_myeshajohnson

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Detroit, MI

Former Piston shows Detroit what they’re missing as he dominates next to LeBron

Published

5 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Former Piston shows Detroit what they’re missing as he dominates next to LeBron

The Pistons have made recent moves to add more shooting, but still don’t have anyone quite as lethal as former Detroit guard Luke Kennard. On Saturday night, Kennard had a brilliant start to his postseason with 27 uber-efficient points for the Lakers in a win against the Rockets. His level of 3-point accuracy is something the Pistons have desperately been seeking all season long to bolster their offense.

Luke Kennard’s shooting makes him a dangerous playoff performer

Kennard was originally drafted to Detroit with the 17th pick of the 2017 Draft. The Pistons have plenty of draft regrets from that general era of team history, but picking Kennard has never been one of them. Despite any other weaknesses he may have, his strength as a shooter has always been enough to offset them.

In terms of pure 3-point percentage, Kennard is one of the best shooters in NBA history. He averages 44% behind the arc for his career, and shot a blistering 48% this season – the best mark in the league. Given his incredible track record, it’s not exactly a shocker to see him shoot 5-of-5 from three en route to 27 points in Game 1.

Not only is Kennard obviously an excellent standstill shooter, but he’s also a master of getting himself open with his movement. On Saturday night, he was able to play off LeBron James perfectly for a few easy looks. After that, he caught enough of a rhythm to create 3-point looks for himself, even in transition.

A player like Kennard is easily capable of turning an entire playoff game when he gets hot. In a close series, that one game where Kennard hits several threes can be all the difference his team needs to advance. If the Lakers do manage to win this series, even without Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves, Kennard’s shooting will be a major reason why.

The Pistons could use someone like Kennard

Kennard would be a perfect marginal addition for the Pistons that only makes them better without taking anything away from the team. To be fair, the Pistons do have two shooters who have been hot recently in Duncan Robinson and Kevin Huerter. But having more than one respected shooter on the court at a time is often necessary to maintain a solid offense in today’s NBA.

Given the Pistons’ current lack of shooting, any additional shooters are welcome. And Kennard is understandably one of the most feared shooters in the league, capable of bending defenses just by the threat of him taking a three. Rolling him out on the Pistons would surely open up more lanes for Detroit’s stars to attack the paint and score easier points.

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Detroit, MI

Troopers arrest Detroit woman after drive-by shooting on I-94

Published

17 hours ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Troopers arrest Detroit woman after drive-by shooting on I-94

A Detroit woman was arrested in the aftermath of a hit-and-run collision and shooting on Interstate 94, Michigan State Police reported.

Emergency dispatchers were called shortly after midnight Saturday about the altercation. Troopers reported the caller said while they were driving eastbound on I-94, near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, a black Jeep sideswiped them and sped off.

The caller then decided to follow the Jeep.

In response, police said, the driver of the Jeep fired several gunshots in the caller’s direction.

None of the gunshots struck the vehicle.

Troopers were able to use license plate reader camera technology to locate the Jeep while it was on the Lodge Freeway, made a traffic stop. The driver and two passengers were taken into custody without incident.

The passengers were released shortly afterwards; troopers believe that the 19-year-old driver was the shooter. She has been lodged pending further review by the prosecutor’s office.

In addition, a firearm was recovered from the vehicle.

The above video originally aired on Aug. 19, 2025.

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Detroit, MI

Orlando Magic vs Detroit Pistons odds for NBA playoffs Game 1 Sunday

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Orlando Magic vs Detroit Pistons odds for NBA playoffs Game 1 Sunday

Who is favored in the NBA playoffs odds for Game 1 between the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic?

Here’s what you need to know about NBA playoff betting odds for the NBA game between the No. 8 seed Magic and No. 1 seed Pistons, which is being played on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

What is the point spread for the Pistons vs Magic game?

What is the moneyline for the Magic vs Pistons game?

What is the over/under (point total) for betting on the first-round NBA playoff matchup?

Watch Magic at Pistons on Peacock

Magic vs Pistons odds: What is point spread?

According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Detroit Pistons are an 8.5-point favorite over the Orlando Magic in Game 1 of their NBA Playoffs series.

Pistons vs Magic odds: What is moneyline?

BetMGM Sportsbook lists Detroit as -375 on the moneyline for the first-round NBA playoff game. It has Orlando at +290.

Magic vs Pistons odds: What is over/under?

The point total for the opening game of the NBA playoffs series between the Pistons and Magic is listed at 218.5 points, per BetMGM Sportsbook.

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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