Taupo social services are facing a much higher demand this year as household requests for food parcels and budgeting advice soar.
According to Taupo Food Bank and the Budget Advisory Service, factors such as rising living costs, a decrease in full-time working hours and high levels of debt have caused a hike in the number of people seeking their assistance.
Food Bank co-ordinator Megan George says people are working fewer hours while still facing the same expenses.
"A lot of mothers and fathers have got a job but have been asked to drop their hours and the bills are coming out of their food budget," says Megan.
Budget Advisory Service co-ordinator Jan Otsuka says more people are struggling.
"It's hard to get permanent 40 hours a week work and everyone is experiencing the rise in fuel and food prices," she says.
Jan says people are not living within their means.
"Kiwis have the attitude, buy now, pay later.
"People need to be prudent and realistic.
"You can enjoy life now, but not at the expense of losing things later down the track,"she says.
Taupo Food Bank's demand is up 30 per cent from 800 food parcels distributed in 2010 to more than 1000 estimated for 2011.
The Budget Advisory Service has had a 23 per cent increase in household clients, from 482 clients in 2009/10 to 595 in 2010/11.
Jan says numbers will continue to rise.
"Households requiring extra help is expected to climb each year."
The Budget Advisory Service was hit with a double edge sword, "an increase in demand and nowhere to go for support".
The Ministry of Social Development recognised the need for more funding and recently allocated $45,000 from the Community Fund Response to the Budget Advisory Service and $15,000 to Taupo Food Bank.
Jan says the money will go towards maintaining the staff to keep the service going.
Megan says the funding is just enough to cover running costs and she is thankful for the added support from the community.
"Taupo businesses, local churches, community groups and volunteers are incredible. We're here to help people and they make it possible," says Megan.
Taupo resident Ray Wolland is one of the many who has sought expert financial advice.
"After losing my job I found it so hard to find work and things started getting pretty stressful.
"I told my wife I'd go to Budget House to do something about it," says Ray.
With the help of a budget adviser Ray was able to get his bill payments under control.
"They made a few calls for me and things just fell into place."
Ray has since found full-time employment as a night manager at the Best Western Caboose Lodge and also travelled overseas to compete in the Australian Masters Games.
"It was my first trip overseas in over 30 years and I wouldn't have had the opportunity, if it wasn't for Debbie and the team at the Budget Advisory Service," he says.
Jan is encouraging others to plan ahead and not leave things until it's too late.
"The key is to be prepared, unforseen circumstances are not always unforseen,"she says.