With Christmas looming, Dunedin's social agencies are preparing to support hundreds of people who turn to them for help, but one survey suggests they will receive fewer donations this year than last.
The survey of 513 people, conducted by Lonergan Research, on behalf of the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal, revealed only 10% of those questioned would give more to charities this year than last year, and 18% said they would give less.
However, it appears South Islanders are more generous than those in the north, with 15% of those questioned saying they would give more this year than last, compared with 9% of North Islanders.
But the Salvation Army, the Wishing Tree Appeal's charity, recorded a 22% increase in demand for its social and emergency services this year, compared with last year.
It also experienced a 38% increase, over the last quarter, in the number of families turning to it for food for the first time.
Dunedin Salvation Army Captain Susan McGregor said demand for services had steadily increased over the past couple of years, while donations for the Christmas period had been slow to come in this year.
"People are a bit late this year, so maybe people who give are finding it a bit tough as well," she said.
Workplace cutbacks and increases in the cost of living meant many people were struggling and the organisation was "really seeing people in need".
Each week, about 80 food parcels were distributed in Dunedin, and 170 would go out for Christmas.
Capt McGregor was grateful for all the organisation received, but said if donations were less than in previous years people would "miss out getting that extra support with food".
Dunedin Methodist Mission chief executive Laura Black said the survey results were "not surprising", but that a decrease in donations would "hurt".
"I think the Government tax package is not having the impact they wanted it to have. People are struggling.
"It's a tough time to be in the business of helping," she said.
However, New Zealanders traditionally gave their time to charities and there was no evidence of this behaviour dropping, she said.
In the last financial year, 5500 people turned to the Methodist Mission for help and the complexity of their cases was increasing.
Presbyterian Support Otago communications and fundraising director Lisa Wells said the organisation helped about 4000 people a year, and about 850 specifically over the Christmas period.
Demand for services remained "steady" and, while donations were on a par so far with previous years, if the amount dropped, the support the organisation could offer would be affected.
