Benevolent Society chief executive John Stuart said 50per cent of the organisation’s grant money was removed by the government.

Mr Stuart said the cuts made supporting The Examiner 2015 Winter Relief Appeal more crucial than ever.

‘‘For seven years I’ve been doing this, in the last two months we’ve had so many people break down in the office – they’re worried they can’t feed their kids,’’ he said.

Cuts from 25 per cent to 50per cent have also been thrust upon other Winter Relief recipients The Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul Society and City Mission.

St Vincent de Paul regional president Joan Joyce said people often required help beyond food issues.

‘‘People come in and they say, ‘I just want food’, but you talk to them and it’s not just food they need,’’ Ms Joyce said.

‘‘Their electricity might be about to be disconnected, their phone has been disconnected, it’s so much more.’’

The Examiner customer engagement manager Matt Williams said the appeal would this year be opened for online donations.

‘‘What we love about the Winter Relief Appeal is that it helps charities locally – that’s really important to us with our role in the community,’’ Mr Williams said.

‘‘It helps local people who genuinely need it, that’s something very dear to us.’’

He said the Winter Relief Appeal was also the preferred charity for this year’s B&E Tasmanian Running Festival.

The appeal will run from Sunday, June 1, to August 31.