JERSEY CITY, N.J. -- The Pantry Inc., operator of Kangaroo Express convenience stores, already reached its goal of raising $1 million through its "Salute Our Troops" campaign, and there's still two months left to go. More than 1,600 Kangaroo Express locations in 13 states are participating in the fundraising effort.

"The response to the Salute Our Troops campaign has been amazing in communities across the nation. Achieving the goal so quickly gives us even more to celebrate as we enter the holiday weekend celebrating our independence and freedom [that] our service members and families make possible every day," said Kelli Seely, senior vice president and chief development officer of the USO. "We appreciate our friends at The Pantry and the many partners for creating this summerlong campaign, and look forward to continued success through the summer."

The campaign invites Kangaroo Express customers to make $1 donations to raise funds for the USO, the Wounded Warrior Project and five state-based military support organizations, as CSNews Online previously reported. The campaign will continue through Labor Day.

"We are awed by the generosity and positive response from our guests, employees and vendor partners to this summer's Salute Our Troops campaign. The growing enthusiasm and support to reach our goal so rapidly demonstrates how dedicated our communities are in supporting the men and women who serve our country," said John Fisher, senior vice president of The Pantry. "As we celebrate Independence Day weekend, we proudly pledge our commitment to well exceed our fundraising expectations as our guests, communities and partners unite to salute our troops."

In other charity news, 7-Eleven Inc. reached out a helping hand across the globe by raising more than $40 million in support of earthquake and tsunami disaster relief in Japan, the company announced.

"The Japanese people are resilient, and it is evident that our customers, franchisees, suppliers and employees really wanted to support them and assist in rebuilding their lives," said 7-Eleven President and CEO Joe DePinto. "We hope these generous donations by thousands of global citizens and friends of 7-Eleven can help meet some of the basic needs as the Japanese people recover in the years to come."

The money was raised through canister contributions from 7-Eleven customers; donations from the National Coalition of Associations of 7-Eleven Franchisees, individual franchisees and company employees; and support from fresh food and bakery suppliers. Collection canisters were placed in 36,000 stores around the world during March, April and May.

Based in Dallas, 7-Eleven Inc. is owned by Tokyo's Seven-Eleven Japan, which operates and franchises more than 13,200 7-Eleven stores in the country. Donations will go to organizations providing rescue and recovery, safety and rebuilding services in Miyagi, Fukushima and Iwate prefectures, the prefectures most affected by the disaster.

Finally, CHS Inc., a provider of agriculture and energy products and services, will donate $1.1 million to North Dakota flood relief efforts. Additionally, the CHS Foundation will contribute $50,000 to the American Red Cross to support flood recovery, and the company will make another $50,000 corporate contribution directly to support nearly two dozen CHS employees whose homes were damaged by the recent Minot-area floods.

"We recognize the significant challenges faced by so many individuals and communities impacted by the recent flooding," said Carl Casale, CHS' president and CEO. "We hope these contributions will help those affected by this disaster as they begin to recover and restore their homes, farms and businesses."

CHS Inc. and the CHS Foundation will also match donations contributed by company employees, retirees and member-owners through July 29.