Mrs Goodwin said the foodbank's schools' appeal this month had been a godsend.
"Almost every school in our region from Papamoa and Pahoia has come on board, and they have so far donated more than 10,000 food items, which is amazing," she said.
Mrs Goodwin said the schools' appeal normally gave the foodbank a buffer to keep the shelves stocked up for a few months leading up to the six-week Bay of Plenty Times Christmas appeal.
"But I'm really concerned that's not going to be the case this year," she said.
In 2016 the foodbank handed out 5031 food parcels.
Mrs Goodwin said more than 75 groups referred clients to the foodbank, which included churches, women's refuges, schools, and Tauranga Budget Advisory Service.
Within two hours of opening its doors on Thursday, the foodbank had approved 24 food parcel requests and the phones had not stopped ringing, she said.
Mrs Goodwin said increased rents, rising living costs and a shortage of affordable housing had placed pressure on people's already stretched budgets.
"One thing we can't do is control the level of demand for our services, and we are very aware that some people are doing it tough out there," she said.
Mrs Goodwin said the foodbank operated on public donations to cover most of its costs including its $20,000 annual rent bill, which would increase to $35,000 next year.
Tauranga Budget Advisory Service manager Diane Bruin said about 25 people a day walked through the agency's doors needing help with food costs, double the number last year.
The referral process to the foodbank worked both ways, she said.
"Just like the foodbank, we have been very busy, with more people wanting help to better manage their finances, including reducing their debts.'
How you can help:
Drop off donations of food or cash at Unit G, 4 Brook St beside Fraser Cove.
Become a foodbank volunteer or sponsor.
Phone 07 578 9888 if you can help.
Visit www.foodbank.co.nz/tauranga-foodbank.