A popular Edmonton charity that helps the city's poorest families may have to cut some meals for children if it doesn't get more funding.

Every school day, the Edmonton City Centre Church Corporation (E4C) provides thousands of inner-city children with a hot lunch and a carton of milk. For some children it's the only meal of their day, said E4C chief executive Michael Farris.

A $250,000 funding shortfall, however, is threatening the program's survival.

The shortfall is caused by lower donations this year, no increase in provincial funding and a new recycling fee on the nearly 2,500 cartons of milk handed out daily, Farris said.

He said the 30-year-old charity, which also provides support for women's shelters and affordable housing, is scrambling to find a solution before the beginning of September.

If it doesn't find the money, E4C plans to provide the hot lunch based strictly on need, which means some kids may not get fed, Farris said.

"We have been encouraging current and prior donors to renew their giving," he said. "We have been talking to funders, our contract funders, and we're trying to increase community awareness."

The charity is holding its Al Fresco fundraising festival June 12 at the 104th Street City Market.