BROOKHAVEN, Miss. - McLane Company has joined The Pantry for the second annual "Salute Our Troops" campaign. The even invites customers in its more than 1,600 Kangaroo Express convenience stores across 13 states to demonstrate united support for military personnel and their families.

McLane and Kangaroo Express, along with presenting sponsor PepsiCo, will empower communities to shine a spotlight of praise and gratitude on the military by enlisting donations at Kangaroo Express stores to raise money from the week before Independence Day through Labor Day, June 27 through Sept. 4.

"We are excited and tremendously proud to be part of a program that supports our courageous and devoted military men, women and their families," said Mike Price, division president at McLane, in a press release. "When the Salute Our Troops Caravan stops at our various divisions across the country, our company will gather to demonstrate our collective support, patriotism and appreciation for our teammates?? service, as well as the thousands of men and women who continue to serve our country."

Donations from the campaign will support the USO, lifting the spirits of America??s troops and their families; the Wounded Warrior Project, honoring and empowering injured servicemen and women; and six state-based military support organizations. In its inaugural year, the 2011 Salute Our Troops campaign raised $2.5 million dollars, breaking fundraising records for many beneficiary organizations, including the largest grassroots fundraising initiative in the USO??s 70-year history.

The six state-based organizations benefiting cover five states throughout the Southeast and include the Enlisted Association of National Guard of Tennessee Auxiliary Soldier Airman Relief Fund Inc., Florida National Guard Foundation, Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation, North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Fund, South Carolina Military Family Care Association, and the United States Veterans Corps based in North Carolina.

"Salute Our Troops was an overwhelming success last year thanks to the passion and commitment of our employees who brought the campaign to life, rallying communities and the customers we serve to support our military and their families. We want to continue that tradition of excellence," said John Fisher, senior vice president of marketing, merchandising and restaurant operations for Kangaroo Express. "Building on our legacy of commitment and gratitude for the sacrifices required to protect our nation and preserve our freedom, we are proud to join McLane Company Inc. to show our united appreciation and raise money for military cause organizations."

Salute Our Troops celebrations will be held at Kangaroo Express stores throughout the southeastern United States led by the Salute Our Troops Caravan. Celebrations will include custom patriotic vehicles and the Salute Our Troops Command Center, where store guests will add their own voice of gratitude with "shout outs" of pride and appreciation. Many will be showcased on the Salute Our Troops website at KESalute.comhttp://www.kesalute.com/ to share with troops and families around the world.