Kangaroo Express Driving Hometown Support with ‘Salute Our Troops’ Jeep Tour

CARY, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Pantry, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTRY), the leading independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern United States, is breathing new life into a World War II Jeep to travel from city to city in a summer-long celebration to honor our Armed Forces and their families. As part of its Kangaroo Express “Salute Our Troops” fundraising campaign, local military heroes will be recognized with community celebrations along the route.

“Lifting the spirits of the troops and their families is at the heart of all our USO community involvement and this Salute Our Troops Jeep Tour drives home the importance of recognizing and supporting the men and women who are serving or have served our country.”

Over the course of 16 weeks, the Salute Our Troops Jeep Tour mission is to travel to 12 markets throughout the Southeast, covering up to 100 miles each day and making celebratory stops at community events, military installations and Kangaroo Express stores along the way.

The fully-restored 1952 Willy’s CJ-3 Jeep will help raise awareness and donations for military charitable organizations and shine a spotlight of appreciation as communities honor military heroes who have served in the Armed Forces or have positively impacted the lives of those who serve our country. The hero will have the opportunity to ride along as a co-pilot for the day and will be recognized for their service and accomplishments.

“When you see the Salute Our Troops Jeep outside one of our Kangaroo Express convenience stores, you know the light is shining on a true local hero,” said John Fisher, senior vice president of The Pantry. “It’s our way of saying thanks to the men and women who serve our country and show support to their families who hold down the fort back home.”

Joanie Thresher, director of USO South Carolina, will ride as the first hero recognized in the Salute Our Troops Jeep as it makes its first appearance in the Myrtle Beach, S.C., Memorial Day Weekend Parade on May 28. The parade starts at 9:30 a.m. on 27th Avenue North and heads south to Ninth Avenue North.

“This is a real honor to be representing the Salute Our Troops campaign and the USO in the Memorial Day parade,” said Thresher. “Lifting the spirits of the troops and their families is at the heart of all our USO community involvement and this Salute Our Troops Jeep Tour drives home the importance of recognizing and supporting the men and women who are serving or have served our country.”

For the Salute Our Troops campaign, Kangaroo Express is asking store guests to help raise $1 million between Memorial Day and Labor Day through donations at the more than 1,600 Kangaroo Express convenience stores across 13 states to benefit the USO, Wounded Warrior Project and National Guard family assistance programs.

Store guests are encouraged to support the Salute Our Troops campaign with $1 donations and to add their own voices of gratitude with “shout outs” of pride and appreciation by posting photos and videos on the Kangaroo Express Facebook page.

After its kick-off in South Carolina, the Jeep will travel to communities across North Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama in the first 30 days alone and additional stops are planned for Georgia and Florida. Live updates from the Jeep stops will post to the Kangaroo Express Twitter account, www.twitter.com/KrooExpress.

About The Pantry and Kangaroo Express

Headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, The Pantry, Inc. is the 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, the Company operated 1,659 stores in thirteen 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 designed to appeal to the convenience needs of its customers.

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. For more information about Kangaroo Express, please visit www.kangarooexpress.com. For more information about the Salute Our Troops campaign, please visit www.KESalute.com.

About the USO

The USO (United Service Organizations) lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families millions of times each year at hundreds of places worldwide. We provide a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services. We also provide critical support to those who need us most, including forward-deployed troops and their families, wounded warriors and their families and the families of the fallen.

The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. We rely on the generosity of our volunteers and donors. In addition to individual donors and other corporate sponsors, the USO is supported by Worldwide Strategic Partners: American Airlines, AT&T Inc., BAE Systems, The Boeing Company, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Procter & Gamble and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. We are also supported through the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381). To join us in this patriotic mission and to learn more about the USO, please visit www.uso.org.

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