More than 90 boxes of food were collected for the Salvation Army and Hands of Love by Bank of Butterfield employees.

The Food Drive and Denim Day — designed to create a special Easter dinner for needy families — also raised $2,640 which will now be matched by the bank.

That money will go towards perishable food items such as turkeys, hams and chickens, with leftover money split equally between the two charities.

Butterfield president Alan Thompson said in a press release: "It is part of our mission statement to make valuable contributions to the communities we call home.

"This is the first of many community outreach initiatives you can expect to see from Butterfield in 2009."

Major Doug Lewis said the Salvation Army was pleased and surprised to hear about Butterfield's efforts this Easter.

"This is good because at certain times of the year, everyone wants to do this sort of thing," Major Lewis said.

"But people are still hungry at all times of the year. We are planning on offering an Easter meal to families. We have a family services register. We will be having the equivalent of a Christmas dinner at Easter. We will also use the food from the food drive to replenish our food bank for the days ahead."

Major Lewis said Butterfield would help about 100 families over Easter.

"With the economic situation you are getting more and more working poor," he said. "Something like this helps them get over the holiday hump."