The Council of Christian Social Services says rising food and energy costs are causing major financial problems for families and community agencies are struggling to meet demand.
The council has compiled Government data and feedback from community-based groups for a vulnerability report.
It says rising unemployment and long term social inequities have combined to produce record demand for emergency meals at several food banks.
The council says ordinary families are seeking counselling, budgeting and crisis support as they're plunged into poverty.
Some 211,000 children lived in households dependent on the benefit in March, according to an Official Information Act request made by the Council to the Ministry of Social Development.
The council says it will monitor the management of a new $40 million community response fund, before its next report in September.
