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Community Corner

Kangaroo Express Rallies to Send Kids to Kyle Petty's Victory Junction

More than 500 Kangaroo Express stores in three states to sponsor campers

Cary, N.C., March 10, 2014 –
Kangaroo Express, the leading independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern United States, operated by The Pantry, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTRY), today announced it is partnering with Coca-Cola® in rallying to send children to Victory Junction, a year-round camping environment for children ages six to 16 with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses for the sixth consecutive year.

From March 5 to April 5, more than 500 Kangaroo Express convenience stores across North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia will encourage guests to donate $1 at the register to support Victory Junction. Select restaurants at Kangaroo Express stores will also participate in the fundraising effort.

Coca-Cola will join Kangaroo Express to announce the total funds raised for Victory Junction at the NASCAR All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 17.

Victory Junction was founded in 2004 by Kyle and Pattie Petty in honor of their late son Adam. The camp relies solely on donations from individuals and corporations like Kangaroo Express to give children a life-changing camping experience. For $2,500, one child has the chance to attend camp for a week at no cost to his or her family.

“Victory Junction gives seriously ill children a wonderful opportunity to just enjoy being kids, and we are honored to support that mission for the sixth year in a row,” said Scott Smith, eastern division vice president, Kangaroo Express. “Last year, generous donations from store guests enabled us to send 400 kids to summer camp and fund the construction of a playground at Myrtle Beach Speedway. We look forward to continuing our support of Victory Junction and inspiring another group of campers this summer.”

To rally fans behind the cause, the Victory Junction Pink Truck, donated by country music star Taylor Swift, will tour across North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, creating a cause for celebration at each Kangaroo Express store it visits. Fans can follow the Pink Truck Tour on the Kangaroo Express Facebook and Twitter pages.

“Coca-Cola is proud to continue its partnership with Kangaroo Express to help Victory Junction achieve its mission of providing a life-changing experience for children with chronic medical conditions,” said Derek Pope, director of sales, Coca-Cola Refreshment. “Victory Junction provides a positive, ongoing impact on the children and families that attend camp. It is an honor for Coca-Cola to support such a vibrant organization making a difference in the communities we serve.”

Kangaroo Express stores in Charleston, S.C., first began raising funds for Victory Junction in 2009 and have since expanded to three states. Donations have totaled almost $3 million since the inaugural fundraising effort and have enabled Kangaroo Express to send 1,100 children to summer camp.

As a result of Kangaroo Express’ donations, Victory Junction has been able to aid pediatric burn survivors and children with neurological and genetic disorders, craniofacial anomalies, sickle cell and skin disease. The organization also unveiled a playground at Myrtle Beach Speedway to bolster awareness of its continued efforts in providing children diagnosed with chronic medical conditions a memorable and enriching summer camp experience.

“We look forward to providing this year’s campers with another exciting summer of fun, friendship and enrichment,” said Brooke Hondros, director of development, Victory Junction. “Thanks to the generous support of corporate partners such as Kangaroo Express, no family incurs the expense of sending a child to camp.”

About Victory Junction
Victory Junction is a year-round camping environment for children, ages six to 16, with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. Founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty, in honor of their son Adam, the camp is located in Randleman, N.C. Victory Junction offers programs for a range of disease groups and maintains strong relationships with more than 30 partner hospitals. Victory Junction’s mission is to provide life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a safe and medically-sound environment, always free of charge. As a not-for-profit organization, the camp operates solely through the support of generous individuals, foundations, organizations and corporations to provide this experience at no charge to children and their families. Since the camp’s inception, more than 19,500 children and families have received not only a circle of support but experiences thought to only be possible by healthy children. Victory Junction is a member of the SeriousFun Children’s Network of Camps founded by Paul Newman, and is accredited by the rigorous guidelines of the American Camping Association. To learn more about Victory Junction visit www.victoryjunction.org.

About The Pantry and Kangaroo Express
The Pantry’s Kangaroo Express® convenience stores meet the daily food and fuel shopping needs of guests. As of January 30, 2014, the Company operated 1,537 stores in thirteen states under select banners, including its primary operating banner Kangaroo Express.  The Pantry is one of the nation’s largest convenience store chains and the leading independently operated chain in the southeastern United States. The Pantry is headquartered in Cary, N.C. For more information, visit www.thepantry.com.

Kangaroo Express offers hot and cold beverages, snacks, fresh foods, gasoline and a wide assortment of merchandise and services for guests’ on-the-go lifestyles. It is home to more than 220 foodservice restaurants, including Subway and Dairy Queen. Kangaroo Express associates are committed to providing store guests with the fastest, friendliest and cleanest shopping experience and embracing communities with campaigns such as Salute Our Troops®, raising millions of dollars for the USO and other military support organizations. For more information, visit www.kangarooexpress.com or visit us on Twitter and Facebook.

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Media Contact
Sarah Haas
Largemouth Communications (on behalf of The Pantry)
sarah@largemouthpr.com
919-459-6457

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