Local company offers up at-home treasure hunts for kids - and an opportunity to support hunger relief efforts

A local company has launched a fundraising campaign to help nonprofits that fight hunger and provide families with a fun diversion — at-home treasure hunts.

Benecomms, a PR and marketing firm in Wake Forest, created the hunts and campaign. "The treasure hunts help unglue kids from screens and give a bit of joy at a very scary time," said Helen Bertelli, founder and president of Benecomms, in a press release. "Most of all we want to help organizations aiding hungry families, and the campaign is a treasure hunt in and of itself; each nonprofit offers a different hunt that donors can collect."

Money raised will go to four nonprofits. Real Food for Kids collaborates with school communities to elevate the quality and character of school food. Rise Against Hunger serves vulnerable communities around the world.

The Children's Defense Fund focuses on children in the United States and offers a Freedom Schools program that serves children across 28 states with meals, snacks and books. And First Fruits Farms is a Louisburg-based farm started by former NFL lineman Jason Brown that provides fresh produce to local food banks and food pantries.

For each nonprofit, families can download a different hunt for a suggested donation of $5 per download. Treasure hunt themes include spring, "happy tummy" and Easter.

"School closings hit hardest for families that are food insecure," said Jenn Yates, Executive Director of Real Food for Kids based in Northern Virginia, in the release. "And unfortunately, nonprofits serving families are going to be hard hit as fundraising events are cancelled; we need to be proactive and creative in raising funds and awareness digitally."

The printable hunts can be set up in any home in about 8 minutes, according to Bertelli. who created a line of treasure hunts several years ago when her own children were younger. Each provides up to an hour of fun for one or a group of kids, and parents can encourage kids to create their own hunts afterward to extend the fun even longer.