Needy families to swamp charities

Charities fear demand on their services this Christmas will soar as families battle to meet rising costs.

Salvation Army spokesman Warren Palmer said a rise in homelessness and overcrowding driven by increased living costs meant the charity expected to help up to 20,000 people next month.

"We would predict things are going to be much tighter particularly with families that have no surplus left in their budget," he said.

Mr Palmer also predicted it may be more difficult for people who usually donate to give as much, as middle-class families also grappled with the rising costs of housing, food and utilities.

Foodbank WA chief executive Greg Hebble said food stocks were 11 per cent down from this time last year for their Christmas Appeal.

"Christmas is a time when many families feel the strain of making ends meet," Mr Hebble said.

"Welfare agencies are experiencing increasing demand and it is the role of Foodbank to help them meet the need in our community."

The charity has collection bins at Woolworths supermarkets and is calling for donations of tinned goods for needy families.

Law firm Lavan Legal will have staff in a Volkswagen Kombi collecting non-perishable food and household items for the Salvation Army at shopping centres around Perth in the lead-up to Christmas.