Customers of Foodland Super Market donated $90,522 that helped feed Hawai'i families during the recent holiday season.

The amount raised was 60 percent more than what was raised last year under the annual program, according to Foodland Chairwoman and CEO Jenai Wall, who said the generosity was amazing.

"The fact that we more than doubled donations ... this year is not only heartwarming, it is a testament to the caring, giving nature of the people of Hawai'i," she said in a statement.

Under Foodland's Share a Holiday Feast Program, customers made donations inside Foodland and Sack N Save stores during November and December. The donations were converted to Foodland gift certificates distributed by The Salvation Army to needy families on each island where donations were received.

Maj. Edward Hill, Salvation Army divisional commander, said the contributions allowed the nonprofit to help more people during a time of increasing need driven by the current economic downturn.

Foodland's Share a Holiday Feast event started in 1988 at the suggestion of a Maui customer who wanted to donate a turkey to a needy family during Thanksgiving.