And while they have declared public support for their efforts "magnificent", they warn the year ahead will be even more challenging as Ireland becomes a nation of the needy.
The Society of St Vincent de Paul, which donated more than €75 million to needy families this year, says numbers requiring special help for Christmas are up at least 25%.
"Last year we helped up to 120,000 people over Christmas but we believe it will be well in excess of 150,000 people this year," said national vice president, John Monaghan.
Homeless charities like the Simon Communities have also come under increased pressure this year, with Dublin Simon recording a 26% increase in people sleeping rough and Cork Simon saying its emergency shelter had been full every night for more than a year.
Spokesman for the Dublin Simon Community, Patrick Gleeson, said standing order donations were down 20%, state funding was cut and many corporate donors had gone out of business or were in trading difficulties.
"In 2012, over €3.5m will need to be raised from the public alone to fund ever-increasing demand on our services.
"Despite everything, people keep giving what they can, but the likelihood is we’ll have to keep asking."
The ISPCC, which warned in May it may have to stop or curtail Childline in 2012, said its future was still uncertain. Director of services, Caroline O’Sullivan, said it could only reply to 65%-70% of the 2,300 calls and texts it received from children every day, and at one stage this year, 700 families were on waiting lists for support workers.
The Samaritans said calls were already up 10% and one-in-eight was recession related. National director, Suzanne Costello, said: "Our funding is holding up thankfully but if demand keeps going up, next year is going to be a challenging year for us."
The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), recorded a 6% increase in the number of people it helped up to September. Spokesman Michael Culloty said there was no sign of a let-up.
Contacts list
* Childline: 1800 666 666 or text "Talk" to 50101
* Samaritans: 1850 60 90 90 or email jo@samaritans.org
* MABS: 1890 283 438
* St Vincent de Paul: 01-838 6990 (national office)
* Cork Simon: 021-4278728
* Dublin Simon: 01-8720185 (rough sleeper team) or 1800 707 707 (homeless helpline)