The winner of the annual New World Three Parks Grocery Grab has redeemed her prize today (Friday December 8) securing $2,311.94 worth of groceries during her two-minute race around the supermarket.

Lake Hāwea resident Pam O'Connor said she couldn’t believe it when she found out she was the winner, thinking ‘this can’t be happening’.

“It wasn't until I got the email [confirmation] from Natashia, I thought ‘this is real’,” Pam said.

“So then I went to pieces.”

Once she calmed down Pam said she put a plan in motion and on Tuesday (December 6) she “cased the supermarket”.

Pam executed her plan to perfection, racing around New World Three Parks while owner Dean Bartley counted down the two minutes.

“It’s exciting to do the grocery grab,” Dean said.

“You see the nerves on the customer's face before they begin and then just the excitement at the end of it, especially once they see the dollar value.”

Dean said it is especially rewarding knowing that an amount equivalent to the winner's prize is donated to the Community Networks/LINK food bank. 

“It's a huge bonus for the food bank,” Community Networks/LINK manager Kate Murray said.

The grocery grab supports the Community Networks/LINK foodbank. Pictured L-R Community Networks/LINK manager Kate Murray, food security project manager Yvonne Walker, Pam O’Connor, owners of New World Three Parks Dean and Natashia Bartley, and Tim O’Connor.

“This generous donation will make a massive difference to how we support families over the festive season.”

Kate said the demand for the food bank’s services has more than doubled since 2019 with more than 100 food parcels being delivered in November.

New World Three Parks has held a grocery grab competition to support the food bank since the store opened in 2019. Each year the event marks the anniversary of the store'e opening.

Almost 1,000 people entered the competition through the Wānaka App.

PHOTOS: Wānaka App