Supermarket supply chain shortages are leaving Queensland's charities with reduced stock, while isolation rules have created volunteer shortages at a time when services are needed most.
In Ipswich, west of Brisbane, Crossfire Support Services has seen demand increase tenfold in the last year.
A new wave of clientele is now reaching out for the charity's free and discounted food.
Middle-class families are struggling with finances, two years into the pandemic.
"They've either lost jobs or family members," founder Louise De Busch said.
"They're used to providing for their families, and they're pretty much breaking down crying before our eyes — that they have to come and ask for a hand up."
When Crossfire Support Services started in 2019 it was an op-shop, where everything cost $2.
However, it evolved during the pandemic to offer low-cost groceries, free coffee and even free food to those who needed it.
"What we found was that people in the community wanted to have their own choice in selecting the food, instead of giving them just a food hamper and saying 'this is what you're going to get'," Ms de Busch said.
"Over the last 12 months, we grew from just under about 150 [repeat customers], to now — we've exceeded past the hundreds."
In the midst of the Omicron outbreak, Crossfire, like so many of Queensland's charities, struggled to get food due to stock shortages, supply chain disruptions and panic buying.
"We find it probably even harder than the big chains in the country at the moment because we don't have that bulk-buying part of the business," Crossfire Support Services' manager Carol Seamer said.
The lack of supply forced Crossfire to close for three days last month — the first time in its history.
"We've been able to reopen because we've been able to ... get our hands on food," Ms Seamer said.
"So any donations that are available, anyone who's willing to come down, anyone who even has an idea on how to get hands on something by all means come in and see us and we'll take it all on board."
Demand expected to remain high for a year
Crossfire is one of 300 Queensland charities that relies on deliveries from food rescue service OzHarvest.
The charity takes surplus food from supermarkets and delivers it free to other charities, including DV refuges, homeless shelters and support services.
When the supermarket shelves became bare at the start of the Omicron wave, surplus food was in short supply and OzHarvest drivers began collecting less.
Meat and dairy severely dwindled, two of the products in most demand.
Supplies are still way below what they were getting in November and early December.
"They're all grateful for whatever we can take," driver Denis Perry said.
OzHarvest Queensland engagement officer Michaela Windsor said the company expects charity demand to remain high for the next year at least.
"It's very challenging having these supply chain issues biting at this time," she said.
"We would love to have any kind of conversation with people who think that they can help, whether it be donating funds or businesses donating food.
Staff taken out during latest COVID wave
A report from volunteer Queensland showed that at the end of last year, more than a third of charities needed more volunteers.
Helen's Haven and Goodna Street Life manager Steve Purcell said that struggle intensified this year.
He said many staff and volunteers were forced into isolation amid the Omicron outbreak.
The charity, which provides low-cost food, medical support, counselling and housing, is at its busiest ever.
"The last few weeks, the centre was actually run by clients … who we've been housing and supporting for the last, you know, six to 12 months.
"They … have been giving back just tremendously.
"There's been some definitely amazing moments where people have stepped up to help others and that has given me hope that we're going to get through."
