As Presbyterian Support Otago prepares for its annual Octacan food drive, demand continues to rise even among double-income families.
Organisers hope the community will once again rally to donate thousands of items to the Family Works Foodbank.
Presbyterian Support Otago food bank co-ordinator Adam Doesburg said the perception of who accessed food banks had shifted.
"People have an idea, rightly or wrongly, about the ‘quote unquote’ type of people that access food banks," Mr Doesburg said.
"For some time now that has been shifting, because the pressure is now chronic."
A compounding series of challenges, from the lingering impacts of Covid-19 to surging food and fuel prices, means many people continue to require occasional assistance.
"For five or six years now, we have just been getting slammed issue after issue after issue and so people are now chronically squeezed."
Even households with two modest incomes were finding it impossible to make ends meet, regardless of how carefully they managed their finances, Mr Doesburg said.
Presbyterian Support Otago social work team leader Jollene Warrington said some people were exhausting their savings to manage expenses.
"There is nothing left in the coffers for like, you know, they need to get their car sorted for a warrant of fitness, or just the basic essential stuff," Mrs Warrington said.
With challenging economic times, such as job losses, some families were facing difficulties.
"Through no fault of their own, they are now unemployed or they have to live off their benefit.
"They have still got the same expenses, which they were managing fine before, but because of the lack of income, it is really difficult to get back on their feet again."
Octacan will return on Thursday, June 25, running from 7.30am to about 2.30pm in the Octagon.
The organisation is aiming to collect 18,000 cans during the event, and schools, businesses and families are all anticipated to contribute to the popular appeal.
A new digital option has been launched for those unable to visit the Octagon to drop off a can or two.
The Octacan Online website at octacanonline.org.nz allows people to buy small packages such as "hearty can classics", "fruity staples" or a "plant-powered pantry".
Website visitors can also choose to donate single, double or family food parcels, which are designed to provide immediate assistance with about three days’ worth of food.
Mr Doesburg said every single donation made a difference, regardless of the size.
"This place, both in terms of the food we collect and the way our volunteer system works, we fire on a little bit regularly," Mr Doesburg said.
"That is our bread and butter.
"It is not on grandiose gestures and thinking that you are going to save the universe by giving X amount. It is just doing that little bit on a regular basis."
Octacan was like a "modern-day take" on the traditional harvest period of Matariki.
"The sharing of kai, gifting of kai," Mr Doesburg said.
Mrs Warrington said the harvest-themed can collection highlighted the goodwill in Dunedin.
"The generosity of the community is phenomenal and it is such an amazing day."
