Foodbanks in Dunedin are ''extremely busy'' this year putting together Christmas parcels as demand increases.
All major foodbanks in the city say more struggling locals have approached them for food this year.
Presbyterian Support Otago's Family Works practice manager Deb Gelling said demand also came earlier than usual.
''A lot of people that are working have not been able to make ends meet. People are generally struggling.''
It created about 200 hampers this Christmas which contained festive items such as fruit mince pies, chips, chicken and ham.
Salvation Army Dunedin ministry leader David McKenzie said its situation was similar.
''We've seen a much bigger demand. We're up 15% to 20% in these last two weeks than we were last year.''
Media reports of increasing demand for foodbanks led to more people requesting assistance, he said.
''We can only take it at face value and that's what we're doing. At this time of year our normal assessment goes out the window, but that's OK.''
Social media was ''changing the game'' of foodbanks and organisations such as the Salvation Army would probably have to adapt, he said.
The key things it needed from donations were the main staples, such as cans and toiletries, but it was also especially low on breakfast cereals.
St Vincent de Paul Dunedin centre and pastoral co-ordinator Sarah Strang said it created about 100 Christmas packages last year, but was up about 10% this season.
''I feel like it's been extremely busy this year.''
She thought overall people were feeling better about their financial situations.
''People don't seem to be quite so desperate, but they still need a bit of help.''
The generosity of the community was especially ''terrific'' this year.
''We're getting a lot more donations and a lot more people thinking about people who don't have as much as them.''
