It depends heavily on the goodwill of the city's community and businesses, especially around Christmas, and The Examiner's 111th appeal is one of those supporters.

The mission's operations manager of client services Ray Green said they had to have a large budget each Christmas because they recognise it's going to be a busy period of financial and personnel support.

"Probably about 100 or a 150 more clients will come in around the Christmas period than would normally come in at any other time of the year," he said.

"We give away lots and lots of toys, we supported 280 children with gifts last year and that's just the children, without the family needs or any food needs or any financial support that people have got to have as well."

Year round the organisation gives out about 1600 meals each month, and half of those are at no cost to clients, and each year gives $70,000 to $80,000 worth of donated furniture away to those in need.

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Last Christmas they helped 809 people and gave away more than $14,500 in financial support and more than $22,700 in vouchers to the community.

Mr Green said without the Empty Stocking Appeal and other support from the community the organisation would have to turn away a lot more people.

"I know for myself I don't have to think too much about buying gifts for my children I can just go out and buy them but for some families, those sort of thoughts are far from their mind," he said.

"They're going I can't even afford to buy food, I've got nothing to give my children, and often those circumstances are out of their control."

Mr Green said they helped the homeless, people escaping domestic violence, those struggling with addiction or families dealing with food insecurity but it was also a place for those who were lonely or socially isolated.

"For many people, it's like a home away from home. We have quite a number of people still showing up to the service that have never been here before, about a year ago we had on average about 30 to 35 people showing up in a month that would be new clients, now it's about 40," he said.

So far this campaign the Empty Stocking Appeal has raised $7,710.70. You can donate at The Examiner's Cimitiere Street office or by bank transfer to BSB 035822, account 011443538.