Kangaroo Express, the leading independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern United States, operated by The Pantry, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTRY), today announced its sponsorship of military appreciation football games held by The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) and North Carolina State University (NC State) as part of its ongoing commitment to support members of the United States Armed Forces and their families.

The All Veterans Parachute Team will kick-off the military appreciation games as UNC takes on the Virginia Tech Hokies on Saturday, Oct. 4 and NC State faces the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Saturday, Nov. 15 with a live skydiving show, landing inside each football stadium.

Additionally, Kangaroo Express and the University of Florida (UF) will honor our military by recognizing a different wounded warrior with a visit from members of the UF football team each week. Videos from these visits will be shown at each home football game.

“With more than one-third of our employees directly connected to the military, supporting our troops means supporting our Kangaroo Express family,” said Gordon Schmidt, senior vice president of operations, Kangaroo Express. “Sponsoring military appreciation games at UNC and NC State is just another way for Kangaroo Express to shine a spotlight of gratitude on service members and their families, thanking them for their dedication to our nation.”

In addition to sponsoring military appreciation games, Kangaroo Express raised $1.9 million in support of military support organizations through its fourth annual Salute Our Troops® campaign, bringing the total amount of funds raised over the past four summers to $10 million. Donations from the campaign, including contributions from generous Kangaroo Express customers, will directly support the American Red Cross Service to Armed Forces, Fisher House Foundation , United States Veterans Corps and six state-based military organizations.

Kangaroo Express is a proud sponsor of military appreciation games throughout the Southeast, including games hosted by major league hockey, minor league baseball, and college football and basketball teams.

To find a Kangaroo Express location near you, visit www.kangarooexpress.com or download the free Kangaroo Express mobile app at www.kangarooexpress.com/mobileapps.