CARY, N.C. -- The Pantry Inc. has announced its "Salute Our Troops" campaign inviting customers in more than 1,600 Kangaroo Express convenience stores across 13 states to demonstrate united support for military personnel and their families.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Kangaroo Express, along with Salute Our Troops presenting sponsor PepsiCo, will invite store guests to make donations toward its $1 million fundraising goal. Funds will support the USO, celebrating 70 years of delivering programs, entertainment and other services to the military; Wounded Warrior Project, [image-nocss] honoring and empowering injured servicemen and women; and National Guard family assistance programs in five states.
Customers will be encouraged to support the program with $1 donations. They can add their own voice of gratitude with "shout outs" of pride and appreciation by posting photos and videos on the Kangaroo Express Facebook page. Many will be showcased on the Salute Our Troops website at www.KESalute.com.
"This summer's Salute Our Troops is an ideal campaign for the communities we serve to join us in support of the men and women who serve our country," said John Fisher, senior vice president of The Pantry. "None of us can thank our military enough for the work and sacrifices required to protect our nation and preserve our freedom, but we will never stop trying. We are joining our partners for 100 days of summer to show our united appreciation as we raise money for military charities."
The Salute Our Troops Jeep Tour will travel throughout the southeastern United States, honoring local military heroes and families along the route.
"Kangaroo Express and USO have something in common: we both like to offer service with a smile. We're especially thankful to our friends at The Pantry for creating this summer-long campaign to support our service members and their families," said Sloan Gibson, USO president.
Wounded Warrior Project mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. "The Salute Our Troops campaign will help us raise awareness and support from communities throughout the Southeast all summer, and we appreciate the support from Kangaroo Express and all the companies involved to help wounded service members and their families who all have made great personal sacrifices," said Adam Silva, chief development officer for Wounded Warrior Project.
"We are proud to join Kangaroo Express in the shared mission to show support for our troops," said Liam Fuller, vice president of marketing for The Pepsi Beverages Co. "This campaign will help many people demonstrate their pride for our service men and women, and it is a great articulation of Performance with Purpose--PepsiCo's commitment to sustainable growth by investing in a healthier future for people and our planet, and respecting, supporting and investing in the local communities where we work, live and operate."
Among the other brands and companies supporting the Salute Our Troops campaign are Monster, Kronik, Oh Yeah!, Celsius, Activate, McLane, Real Tree, Red Bull, Lance, SNAPPLE, General Mills, KRAFT, Jackson Lewis, Lala, Nestle Waters, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, Wilbur-Curtis, ECOLAB, Gilbarco, Jones-Frank, GSP Marketing Technologies and Lonesource.
Headquartered in Cary, N.C., The Pantry is a leading independently operated c-store chain in the southeastern United States and one of the largest independently operated c-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. The Pantry's stores offer a broad selection of merchandise, as well as gasoline and other ancillary services.
With more than half of our stores located within 25 miles of a military installation, Kangaroo Express has supported the military and their families for many years. For example, Kangaroo Express sponsored the Indy 500 Centennial Tour of legendary Indy drivers visiting U.S. military bases in Europe and the Middle East and an aircraft carrier at sea. Kangaroo Express has also sponsored the annual American Widow Project / Kangaroo Express Golf Tournament for the past three years in support of the widows of fallen military.
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