The wool blankets, heavily discounted by Creswick Woollen Mills, will be distributed as quickly as possible to local families to help them keep warm this winter.

According to UnitingCare welfare worker Tamie Austrums, the number of families seeking emergency relief this winter is 50 per cent higher than in previous years.

"We are now doing emergency relief five days a week instead of the usual two-and-a-half," Ms Austrums said.

3BA Christmas appeal director Peter Caligari said the arrival of winter had meant added hardship for hundreds of Ballarat families who were in desperate circumstances.

He said the support provided by the Regional One Credit Union was of significant assistance to the appeal.

"With our welfare agencies battling to cope with the huge increase in demand for assistance, the appeal urgently needs all of the support which the Ballarat community can provide," Mr Caligari said.