The City Missioner in Palmerston North says the Christmas and New Year period has been one of the city's hardest yet.
Methodist social services director Michelle Grey says there have been 65% more people through the mission's doors, compared with the same time last year.
She says the recession has had a huge impact and there has been an increase in employed people and single men needing the city mission's services.
Ms Grey says the next few months are expected to be even busier as families cope with back-to-school costs.
