The charity, which feeds 100 people four times a week, said donations have dropped significantly since the coronavirus pandemic.
Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen was established in 2019 to fight hunger and poverty in the city.
It costs around £11,000 a month to run, but the charity has to draw down its reserves on a regular basis.
“People want to help, but they just don't have the money,” said founder Andrea Bell.
“Our work has expanded significantly and we now also help people with furniture, clothes, shoes, tents, sleeping bags, gas and electricity bills,” Miss Bell explained.
“We have quotas and we also offer free haircuts and podiatry treatments.”
But donations have not kept up with the increased demand for the charity's services, she said.
“I think our profile is a little bit better now. People think we have money coming in from elsewhere, but we're still completely reliant on the generosity of the public. '' said Miss Bell.
To bring in a new source of income, the charity plans to take over the lease of the building next door to the kitchen and rent out the space as a community hub, selling vintage clothing.
“There were nights I woke up and wondered how I could keep going,” Miss Bell said.
“But the work we're doing is too important for philanthropy to end on my watch, that's for sure.”
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