Paint Pots To Help Feed Vulnerable People

It’s that time of year again when New Zealanders all over the country will be visiting Resene stores and donating cans of food in exchange for Resene paint testpots.

Now entering its ninth year, the Resene Hunger for Colour food fundraiser will be giving people a chance to donate food and help vulnerable families in their community by swapping two cans of food for a 60–80ml testpot of Resene paint. In February, people can swap up to 14 cans of food for seven Resene testpots, with all cans donated at Resene stores given to local Salvation Army foodbanks.

In nine years, this annual fundraiser has helped put more than 300,000 cans on foodbank shelves and seen Resene donate over $1,000,000 worth of paint.

Salvation Army Territorial Director of Community Ministries Jono Bell says this time of year is a challenge for Salvation Army foodbanks, with increased demand at a time when our shelves are low in stock post-Christmas.

“At the beginning of each year many of our foodbanks find themselves with bare shelves and need to re-stock to provide families with food parcels. When food stocks are low, our centres really appreciate the arrival of Hunger for Colour at this time of year, knowing the cans will start coming in.”

In 2022, The Salvation Army provided more than 90,000 food parcels to New Zealanders struggling to put food on the table.

“We are so grateful for the ongoing generosity of ordinary Kiwis shown through Resene Hunger for Colour. Being able to rely on Resene each year really makes a difference in helping ensure families don’t go hungry,” says Jono.

“This campaign is particularly helpful as there is a Resene ColorShop almost everywhere we have a foodbank. Knowing that we can restock our shelves with food to share with those in need is wonderful and an amazing way to start the year.”

Resene Marketing Manager Karen Warman says: “The campaign has generated fantastic feedback over the past eight years and we’re delighted to be able to help our fellow Kiwis. People comment how much they like knowing they are donating something tangible that will help someone in need in their local community while giving them a chance to be creative with Resene testpots, a popular, versatile product which encourages people to come in.”

The Hunger for Colour campaign is a yearly highlight for craft and community groups, especially the popular rock painting groups, who eagerly anticipate the chance to restock and choose new colours. It’s also very popular with renovators as it provides the chance to try out multiple decorating colours for the cost of two food cans. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.

The Salvation Army Territorial Media Officer, 021 945 337, email: media@salvationarmy.org.nz (The Media Officer responds to enquiries from media outlets and journalists. If you would like to donate, are in need of help, or have some other non-media-related enquiry, please call 0800 53 00 00.)