Forty years of serving the community were celebrated by Anglican Family Care, in Dunedin, this week.
Director of the social work agency Nicola Taylor said the organisation helped about 5000 people a year with everything from budgeting advice and food parcels to counselling and child care.
One of the most significant changes in the past 40 years was the introduction of Family Start, a home-based family support programme, about 10 years ago, which doubled the organisation's size.
Another was when its partnership with the Methodist Church ended five years ago, bringing Anglican Methodist Family Care to an end and allowing separate agencies to grow in different directions.
The toughest period of time for the organisation has come recently as the effects of the recession continue to be felt, putting pressure on the food bank and the Consumer Electricity Fund it runs for the Dunedin City Council.
"As the demand is high and the issues are becoming more complex, we have to prioritise and provide a more focused service," Mrs Taylor said.
Support of volunteers and donations kept the organisation going, but it was "really struggling to keep up with demand" for its welfare services.
Bishop Kelvin Wright said its work was "right at the heart of" the Bible because it was about the care of people.
Anglican Family Care had had a "monumental impact on this city and its welfare", he said.
