Salvation Army in the East raises concerns amid fall in financial donations
They are hoping to see a change as we get closer to Christmas
The Salvation Army in the East have fewer monetary donations this year than last and are finding it more difficult to help people
Research by KMPG shows people are planning on spending less this Christmas due to the cost of living crisis.
We spoke to Captain Paul Williams, one of the leaders of the Salvation Army in Felixstowe in Suffolk, part of the Salvation Army in the East of England.
He told us regarding their donations, they have seen a slight increase in the number of toys they have received but that" doesn't mean that (he) can say with confidence that (they're)going to be able to fulfil all the referrals that we've got."
However, from a monetary perspective, they are a lot lower than they were last year, which means they have to "count each penny." and are not able to be "as generous as we would like to be."
They are also struggling to predict the demand on their foodbank this year, telling us it has been a "roller coaster ride".
But they have food stocks and we've got food that comes in from the County Council, as well as financial reserves for food banks - so they aren't overly worried yet but are still cautious about the possibility of demand rising.
The Salvation Army in the area has seen a lot of elderly people using their services and are starting a "job club" in the New Year to help these people back into work, so they can "get back on their own feet."
Paul acknowledged this "is absolutely dreadful.
"These people have worked their whole life, they've contributed to their National Insurance, they may have little pension pots and elsewhere.
"It's a disgrace that we live in times such hard times as this, where people are having to turn the thermostat down or having to skip meals or having to go back to work, to supplement the nest egg they thought they accumulated.
"The are tough times."