The country's use of food banks is 'terrible,' Lord Carey said, but that comparing the UK to Africa was not right because no one is "starving to death".
It's after Most Revd Justin Welby said he was left more shocked by the plight of Britain's hunger-stricken poor than the suffering in African refugee camps.
Archbishop Justin said food is being wasted at "astonishing" levels in the UK but hunger "stalks large parts" of the country.
But speaking on Sky News Lord Carey said: "I have already said actually people are not starving to death here so it would be an exaggeration to compare this with Africa."
He added that the problem had to be put in "context" and that "we're finding this increasing gulf between the rich and the poor. So people are feeling the struggle these days."
He called on people to give donations to food banks over the festive period to show the "spirit of Christmas".
"Christmas is a time to rejoice and celebrate, to share food together ... Why not make a contribution to your local food bank for example?" he said.
"All kinds of things we can do to bring up the spirit of Christmas and to care for one another and hopefully go into the New Year with a sense of optimism for our country that we are a great country and to put the greatness back into Britain once more."