The Trussell Trust says demand for its emergency three-day food parcels has already been rising this year. Usage typically spikes during Christmas.
Bosses say benefits-related issues remain the top factor and that they are meeting families whose payments are not covering essentials spending.
Area manager, Matt Marney told Premier: "We don't feel that it's acceptable that anybody would need to rely on the use of a foodbank.
"We're working very diligently to try and implement change so that we're not needed."
The Christian charity distributed 160,000 food packages last December - 49 per cent more than the monthly average for last year.
No one should need a #foodbank at any time of year. But this Christmas we're expecting to see more support needed than ever before. This isn't right. We need to move towards a future where everyone has enough money coming in > https://t.co/BT7yaOGBYC pic.twitter.com/gvvvPV8V1V
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) November 27, 2018
It said a five-week delay experienced by families moving onto Universal Credit was also fuelling demand.
Appealing for help this Christmas, Matt Marney added: "I think it's really important, if people are wishing to donate to foodbanks, they look at items that [foodbanks] need."
"If you're wanting to donate, please donate early in December; that gives our volunteers time to sort and process the food and make sure it gets to people in need nice and early."
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said there are "complex" reasons behind why people use foodbanks, adding it would be "wrong" to link an increase in demand to any one single cause.
They added: "No one should have to face hardship with Universal Credit and we have made 100 per cent advances available from day one.
"For families that need extra support we are spending £90 billion a year on working-age welfare, and we recently announced a £39 million partnership with Citizens Advice to support vulnerable people to make and manage their Universal Credit claim."
Last Christmas, Premier reported exclusively on how the Trussell Trust was preparing to feed thousands of people on Christmas Day.
Click here to listen to Premier's Rosie Wright speaking with Matt Marney at the Trussell Trust:
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