A plea for Wellingtonians to not forget those less fortunate - after Christmas Day - as well as before.

The Downtown Community Ministry is expecting its food bank service to run dry in early January, as people struggle to cope during the whole holiday period.

The service helps hundreds of homeless in the capital.

Director Stephanie McIntyre says early in the New Year is usually a very hectic time as well.

She says while their food bank is well stocked at the moment, by next month it's going to run out very, very quickly.

Wellington City Missioner, Tric Malcolm says they're also expecting an after-Christmas rush.