Treasure hunt helps fill the shelves at Whanganui City Mission Foodbank

St John Four Square owners Trin McCarthy (left) and Gareth Cockburn (right) with rock hunters Charlie Swainson and Josie and Bryah Koubaridis present their donations to Foodbank manager Karrie Brown. Photo / Bevan Conley

Whanganui City Mission Foodbank shelves have been replenished, thanks to the efforts of a local business owner and some young rock hunters.

St John Four Square owner Trin McCarthy came up with a plan to combine a fun school holiday activity and charitable donations by placing painted rocks for children to find at Rotokawau Virginia Lake.

She pledged to donate items to the foodbank for every rock that was returned to her shop and each child also received a free ice cream for their efforts.

The result was a van-load of supplies delivered to the City Mission on Friday.

"We raised just under $1000 to spend on supplies for the foodbank," McCarthy said.

"When children returned the rocks, we would go back and hide them again so other children could discover them."

The rocks were painted by an employee at Birthright whose decorative abilities were known to McCarthy.

"I had seen her work and knew she was good so we donated money to Birthright for the work she did for us."

Foodbank manager Karrie Brown said St John Four Square was a regular foodbank donor and the latest donation was especially appreciated.

"We were running very low on toilet paper and tinned food like baked beans and spaghetti.

"Trin is great because she always checks in to see what we need most and she includes flour and sugar which we're always needing."

McCarthy said the treasure hunt idea had been a real winner with local families and as well as boosting the foodbank supplies, it had provided some outdoor fun for everyone.

Bryah Koubaridis, 11, her sister Josie, 9, and 5-year-old Charlie Swanson helped hide the painted rocks for other children to find and were there to help unload the supplies at the foodbank.

McCarthy said the treasure hunt was something she would consider doing again.