More than 100 volunteers will hit the streets of Invercargill on Thursday to help the less fortunate enjoy a happy Christmas.

The annual Harcourts Southland Foodbank Drive will take place between 6-8pm and will cover every street in Invercargill as well as Otatara.

Residents are being asked to leave non perishable food items in a bag near their letterbox where they will be collected by volunteers and given to the Southland Food Bank.

Items will then be distributed to families across Southland who are are struggling to put food on the table.

Manager of Harcourts Invercargill Wayne Ellis said the event was extremely important to help out families who needed it the most.

"It’s obviously a difficult time of the year for a number of people so it’s a way in which we can make a practical effort to make a difference."