Needy Aucklanders are already queuing for food parcels from the city mission a week before Christmas.
As many as 200 people lined up outside the building on Monday.
Auckland City Missioner Diane Robertson says many people have used up their entitlements to Work and Income special needs grants and have nowhere else to turn.
She says more people are living in poverty or struggling and it has been a difficult year for those on low incomes.
Ms Robertson says the mission is already feeling the pressure and needs the help and generosity of Aucklanders to provide for those in need.
More than 1000 people are expected to seek help in the next few days.
