Painted rocks help campaign supporting hungry Kiwis

The Resene Hunger for Colour campaign almost tripled its collection of canned food for Salvation Army foodbanks, as New Zealanders swapped over 64,000 cans for testpots of Resene paint during February.

The month-long campaign was boosted by the rise of community rock painting groups that has swept the country. Groups such as Palmy Rocks and Hawke’s Bay Rocks (HB), encourage families to paint rocks, hide them around their town for other families to find and share their discoveries. Resene ColorShops around the country say members of the groups have been enthusiastic supporters of the Hunger for Colour campaign this year.

In total New Zealander’s swapped 64,961 cans of food for paint.

For the third year in a row Palmerston North led the country in donations, with the community swapping more than 5700 cans for paint, while people in Napier and Whanganui donated more than 4000 cans.
 
The cans will give a timely boost to Salvation Army foodbanks, restocking shelves after a busy holiday and back-to-school period and helping prepare for winter when many families struggle, Salvation Army social services National Manager Major Pam Waugh says.

'This is a fantastic effort by Resene and their customers. We’re really grateful to our corporate partners and to people around New Zealand who respond so generously to the needs in their community. It takes the pressure off our centres when so many people get on board and support them to help those in need.’

Resene Marketing Manager Karen Warman says the company was proud of the generosity of so many New Zealanders this year and grateful for the support of the community.  ‘We have been so impressed at the support of so many Kiwis in donating cans and for all their kind words and appreciation for Resene Hunger for Colour. Our team are very proud of being part of this community effort to support the Salvation Army and struggling kiwi families while adding colour to people’s lives.’