CARY, N.C. – The Pantry Inc.’s Kangaroo Express convenience store chain is teaming up with the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) to identify and promote career employment opportunities for military spouses.

As part of the partnership, Kangaroo Express -- the largest convenience store chain in the southeastern United States -- will post job openings and offer transferable career opportunities to relocating military spouse employees. In addition, Kangaroo Express will co-sign a Statement of Support with the armed forces and mentor new MSEP corporate partners.

"More than one-third of our associates have a direct connection to the military as veterans or with family members serving," said Dennis Hatchell, CEO of Kangaroo Express. "Joining the Military Spouse Employment Partnership is one of the many steps we at Kangaroo Express have taken in our ongoing commitment to actively recruit and hire military members and their families."

MSEP is part of the Department of Defense's broader Spouse Education and Career Opportunities initiative. Its online portal creates employment connections that provide companies with direct access to military spouses seeking career opportunities and, in turn, provide spouses with direct access to employers who are actively recruiting. More information is available at www.msepjobs.militarysource.mil.

"Despite their hard-to-find skills and high levels of education and training, military spouses face a 26-percent unemployment rate and a 25-percent wage gap compared to their civilian counterparts," said Frederick E. Vollrath, the principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for readiness and force management. "While 77 percent of military spouses want or need work, frequent relocation is often a barrier to establishing or continuing a career. Our mission is to work with great companies, such as Kangaroo Express, to connect military spouses with employment opportunities that offer the resources they need to overcome these barriers."

The Pantry's portfolio comprises 1,589 stores in 13 states under select banners. Kangaroo Express is the primary operating banner. According to the company, more than half of its stores are located within 25 miles of a military installation, and it proudly supports military families. Most recently, Kangaroo Express raised $3.17 million for the USO, Wounded Warrior Project and other military support organizations as part of its summerlong Salute Our Troops fundraising campaign.