Christchurch's largest food bank is set to close just days before Christmas.

Foodbank Canterbury has been forced to introduce a service fee to meet rising costs, meaning it's become ineligible for council funding.

It says they'd be putting their ability to pay staff at risk if they operated past December 22.

The foodbank supports 160 charities across Christchurch.

Potters Kitchen manager Robbie Drew says they're now going to lose most of their food.

"The funds have run out and it's right on Christmas, so there's going to be hundreds of families that are going to miss out."

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