The Auckland City Missioner has received hate mail in the lead-up to Christmas from people asking why the charity is "feeding fat people".

There's so much need for help from charities some are struggling to meet demand.

Families are queuing overnight for a food parcel at the Auckland mission where city missioner Chris Farrelly told 1 NEWS more than 1000 parcels are being processed every day prior to Christmas.

Some parcels help to fill the Christmas stockings of the children in families.

"When you've got $80 to live on for a whole week for food, you can't buy a present, you can't put something in the fridge extra," Mr Farrelly said.

But not everyone sees it like that, and Mr Farrelly said he has had some surprising emails.

"It's surprised me in the past week I've been receiving some hate mail from people who are saying why are we feeding these fat people, they should be getting off their butt and going to do some work."

We're about 35,000 gifts short to meet our target - Pam Waugh of the Salvation Army in Wellington

If you are looking for a way to help, then it's fresh produce which is desperately needed at the Auckland City Mission.

And at Wellington's Salvation Army operation, it's Christmas presents which are the problem.

"At this stage it's looking like we're about 35,000 gifts short to meet our target," said Pam Waugh of the Salvation Army.

And in particular it's presents for older boys which are missing.

We have kittens coming out of our ears - Andrea Midgen, SPCA chief executive

"The teenage boys are usually hard to buy for. Sports gear is always good. Teenagers love gift cards and iTunes cards, things like that," Ms Waugh said.

And its not just people who need a bit of help this Christmas.

SPCAs right across the country need a hand in the run up to Christmas, and throughout the summer months.

"This is our craziest time of the year. It's like the world has gone mad. We have kittens coming out of our ears," said Andrea Midgen, SPCA chief executive.

"It's a great time to come in and foster. What would be really great is donations. We can always do something with the money."