This week, hundreds of food hampers and gifts will be shared with Hunter people doing it tough.

It comes as research commissioned by the Salvation Army found one-in-three Australians felt financial pressures and stress "significantly" impacted their lives this year, with 38 per cent were more stressed about their finances compared to last year.

Kristen Hartnett, a financial counsellor for the Salvos in Hamilton, said many people who had never sought their services before were needing support this year.

"We want people to know that we are here," she said. "We want people to know that we've seen what's happening to people, we have seen the financial and emotional impacts of the year, and for people to know that if they are in need, they can connect with us at our local Salvation Army sites for support.

"There are more options than you know."

The research found 32 per cent of people were feeling anxious, 25 per cent felt depressed, 29 per cent were lonely, and 36 per cent were stressed.

"What we were sensing, and the research confirmed, was the high level of uncertainty - 38 per cent - for people going into 2021," Ms Hartnett said. "Over the year the research showed people are feeling increasingly anxious, lonely and stressed, and we just want people to know they are not alone, and we want Christmas to be a day that people can have some respite from their worries and struggles.

"One person shared that if it wasn't for the donations of the toys and the hamper, their family wouldn't have had any gifts to wake up to on Christmas day. That's the difference it made to that family"

The research found more than one-in-eight Australians will go into debt this Christmas, and 2.1 million Australians were concerned their children would miss out on food and basic living necessities.

"It has been a challenging year, an uncertain year," she said. "It's time that we take stock of the true values of Christmas. It is our wish people can have a day of joy, of peace, of friendship and time with family and friends.

"The perfect gift and the perfect day really just looks like turning up and being present."

The Eastlakes Salvos is also distributing hampers this week, and is hosting its Christmas Avenue Of Trees at Belmont North from Sunday, December 20 to 22 (6pm-to-8.30pm). Come and see the display and place a donation under a tree.

For faster access to the latest Newcastle news download our NEWCASTLE HERALD APP and sign up for breaking news, sport and what's on sent directly to your email

IN THE NEWS