It is one of the most challenging Christmases in decades.
The rising cost of living has left many families struggling to pay their bills, let alone afford presents or Christmas dinner.
But they are not alone. Organisations such as Human MCR have stepped up to offer vital support to those in need this festive period.
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The Blackley -based food drive provides meals and essential nutritious food all year round to make sure families around the region don't go hungry.
The M.E.N. is also working with them to help raise money to tackle hunger in Greater Manchester this Christmas. So far, our generous readers have donated more than £5,000 to help fund the charity's important work.
But when the decorations eventually come down and normal life resumes, there are fears that things will only get worse.
Lewey Hellewell, who started Humans MCR after his own 'undignified' experiences of using food banks, said he expects the New Year to be 'particularly bleak' for struggling families.
He says the charity has witnessed an increase in the number of people with full-time jobs asking for help in recent months.
He added: "This year, we know it is going to be really difficult for people - people that ordinarily might not find it difficult at this time of year. We've seen an increase, for example, in people that are working full-time coming to the food bank.
"Energy in particular is causing real havoc for those that have the least. It's cold and people want to be able to heat their homes if they can.
"People have probably maxed out trying to make Christmas a really enjoyable time for their families, so we are expecting an enormous influx of requests for support in mid-January when those credit card bills start to land on people's doorsteps."
Set up in 2019, Humans MCR aims to give 'respect, health, dignity and hope to those in our communities', and provide a number of services to those struggling, including emergency food parcels and a community grocers service.
They deliver food parcels to people's doorsteps in the hope it makes it easier for those in need to reach out. They also provide a 'community grocers' service, where those in need can source fresh, good quality food at slashed prices. The aim is to keep people in Greater Manchester eating well, while supporting them out of food poverty.
While money raised through our campaign is being used to help feed people in need this Christmas, it will also help Humans MCR continue their work in the New Year - traditionally a demanding time for food banks.
"December is a really busy time for us," said Lewey. "We think that's going to continue right through to the spring when the weather turns and people don't feel they have to switch their heating on to make sure their kids are not cold.
"It's going to be particularly bleak this year. What we would ask is that people don't forget about us in January and February when it is traditionally the time of year when people are struggling the most.
"People are super generous in December, they love of the gift of giving, but it does go really quiet in January. Food banks are then left trying to figure out how to keep things going."
To ensure the food bank can keep supporting the poorest in our region in the New Year, Lewey estimates it will have to spend in the region £1,200 per week on food.
That is why donations are so important to the work being done by Humans MCR.
"We would be very grateful if people continued to donate to the M.E.N. appeal," said Lewey. "We know we have gone over the target that was set this year, which is absolutely incredible. It would be great to continue to see that go up."
Want to help us make sure nobody goes hungry this Christmas? Donate to the campaign here.
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