CARY, N.C. -- The Pantry Inc.'s Kangaroo Express said that its Kash for Kids fundraising campaign raised $129,389 in support of Junior Achievement, a nonprofit organization that brings the real world to students through hands-on curriculum delivered by a trained classroom volunteer.
From Nov. 9 through Dec. 31, more than 70 Kangaroo Express stores throughout the north Georgia, Chattanooga and Cleveland, Tenn., areas rallied store guests to make donations for the Kash for Kids fundraiser, encouraging the local community to help young people develop the competitive skills and confidence needed to succeed in the 21st-century global marketplace.
"From store guests to our dedicated associates, the community's overwhelming response to supporting the Kash for Kids campaign has truly been inspiring," said Chris Hughes, regional sales director for Kangaroo Express. "Thanks to their generous support and the hard work of volunteers at Junior Achievement, kids right here in the larger Chattanooga area will have the opportunity to benefit from real life, hands-on experience and be inspired to dream big and reach their fullest potential."
Kangaroo Express presented the donation on Feb. 12 during the Junior Achievement of Chattanooga board meeting at the Hamilton County Department of Education. Brigette Thurman, president of the Junior Achievement of Chattanooga and Tracie McCartney, president of Junior Achievement of the Ocoee Region, accepted the donation.
"This generous donation will help the Junior Achievement offices of Chattanooga and the Ocoee Region continue to support the personal and intellectual growth of students from kindergarten to 12th grade," Thurman said. "The impact of this partnership will be seen in the classrooms of our local schools, where a greater number of students will now benefit from real world learning."
The $90,149 raised in Hamilton, Catoosa, Walker, Marion and Sequatchie counties will directly benefit the Junior Achievement of Chattanooga. The $39,240 raised in Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Polk and Monroe counties will directly benefit the Junior Achievement of the Ocoee Region.
Junior Achievement reaches 4.2 million students per year in more than 120 markets across the United States, with an additional 6.5 million students served by operations in 117 other countries worldwide.
Based 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. The company operates approximately 1,575 stores in 13 states under select banners, including Kangaroo Express, its primary operating banner.
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