CARY, N.C. -- The Pantry Inc. said that it has achieved the summer-long fundraising goal of $1 million in the early weeks of its "Salute Our Troops" campaign. Through The Pantry's more than 1,600 Kangaroo Express stores across 13 states, customers and communities have demonstrated united support for military personnel and their families.
"The response to the Salute Our Troops campaign has been amazing in communities across the nation. Achieving the goal so quickly gives us even more to celebrate as we enter the holiday weekend celebrating our independence and freedom [image-nocss] our service members and families make possible every day," said Kelli Seely, senior vice president and chief development officer of the USO. "We appreciate our friends at The Pantry and the many partners for creating this summer-long campaign, and look forward to continued success through the summer."
The overwhelming response so early in the campaign will inspire more donations throughout the summer, the company said. Donations will support the USO, celebrating 70 years of delivering programs, entertainment and other services to the military; Wounded Warrior Project, honoring and empowering injured servicemen and women; and state-based military support organizations that benefit soldiers and their families in five states.
"We are awed by the generosity and positive response from our guests, employees and vendor partners to this summer's Salute Our Troops campaign. The growing enthusiasm and support to reach our goal so rapidly demonstrates how dedicated our communities are in supporting the men and women who serve our country," said John Fisher, senior vice president of The Pantry. "As we celebrate Independence Day weekend, we proudly pledge our commitment to well exceed our fundraising expectations as our guests, communities and partners unite to salute our troops."
Kangaroo Express customers are invited to make donations and give shoutouts of praise and appreciation to the military heroes in their lives and communities by posting photos and videos on the Salute Our Troops website at www.KESalute.com. The retailer is also promoting the USO Salute Our Troops Jeep Tour, which deployed on Memorial Day and will complete its mission on Labor Day.
A fully restored 1952 Willys CJ-3 Jeep is touring the Southeast to honor military heroes and families along the route at Kangaroo Express locations and community events. The Salute Our Troops Jeep Tour made its first stops in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida through June. The Jeep celebrated Independence Day in Alachua, Fla., at the Hal Brady Recreation Complex. The tour is scheduled for additional stops in South Carolina at Myrtle Beach and Charleston, Charlotte, N.C., and in Florida at Gainesville, Jacksonville and Orlando through the next two months.
Headquartered in Cary, N.C., The Pantry is a leading independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern United States and one of the largest independently operated convenience store chains in the country. As of May 9, 2011, it operated 1,659 stores in 13 states under select banners, including Kangaroo Express, its primary operating banner. With more than half of its stores located within 25 miles of a military installation, Kangaroo Express has supported the military and their families for many years.
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