More than 100 families in the city have looked for help from the Society of St Vincent de Paul for communion and confirmation bills.
The charity say they are now helping more middle-class families than ever who are trying to keep their poverty a secret from friends and neighbours.
This is in addition to families who have consistently availed of the service.
The Echo reports that some of the families the charity is dealing with now were comfortable financially before finding themselves in arrears during the pandemic.
