CARY, N.C. - Kangaroo Express, operated by The Pantry Inc., announced that its "Kash for Kids" fundraising campaign has raised $129,389 in support of Junior Achievement, a non-profit 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, and 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.

Junior Achievement inspires work-readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills and impacts 4 million U.S. students in more than 176,000 classrooms.

"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, in a press release. "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 yesterday during the Junior Achievement of Chattanooga board meeting at the Hamilton County Department of Education.

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.