APPLETON — The Stock the Shelves" campaign, which positions food pantries to continue supporting their clients, has set a community contribution goal of $600,000 across nine of 10 Gannett Wisconsin Media markets.

This year's Stock the Shelves, the second expanded campaign, launches today and runs through Nov. 20. It is the 16th annual effort for The Post-Crescent.

"Post-Crescent employees are committed to help to improve the lives of local residents through this campaign and other initiatives," said P-C president and publisher Genia Lovett, who also is vice president of Gannett Wisconsin Media. "We certainly couldn't do it without our caring partners and our readers whom we appreciate immensely."

Also participating are the Green Bay Press-Gazette; the Oshkosh Northwestern; The Reporter, Fond du Lac; The Sheboygan Press; the Stevens Point Journal; the Daily Tribune, Wisconsin Rapids; the Marshfield News-Herald; and the Wausau Daily Herald.

Last year's first-ever Gannett Wisconsin Media "Stock the Shelves" campaign collected $561,000 across the nine participating markets.

"Stock the Shelves has become not only The Post-Crescent's largest annual Do It! campaign, but last year's organization-wide event proved that hunger is an important issue in all of our markets," said Dan Flannery, executive editor of The P-C and regional executive editor of Gannett Wisconsin Media.

"When we merged forces to collect $561,000 in nine of our 10 markets, that was a gratifying and powerful response from our readers and partners across the state."

"But at the same time, we know that we haven't solved anything here. We've only started to make a difference in keeping families fed across our markets in this state. We'll continue doing that and pushing our goals higher."

The Fox Valley's 2011 regional fundraising goal is $455,000, with Appleton's set at $275,000, Oshkosh's at $100,000 and Green Bay's at $80,000.

"This is when the Fox Valley shines," Flannery said. "This is when our customers, readers, partners and neighbors step up, as they always do, to make a difference. Our goal this year is $275,000, but I wouldn't be honest if I didn't think we could do better than that and make a major difference in the lives of families who need a helping hand."

The Fox Cities portion of the campaign benefits 21 food pantries and programs. St. Joseph Food Program in Menasha will receive half of the funds the campaign brings in, and the others will divide the rest.

"The money allows us to purchase the things that are necessary where we're falling short," said Karen Ziemke, development director at St. Joseph Food Program. "Because food prices are up in general, we're actually over budget in several categories. That (campaign) will help to sustain some of the inventory that we're short on, which is primarily peanut butter, cereal, canned fruit. Our outreach has increased, so we're distributing even more than we did last year."

The campaign partners with the J. J. Keller Foundation, Express Convenience Centers and credit union chapters.

The J. J. Keller Foundation has pledged matching grants of $35,000 in The Post-Crescent's campaign, and $15,000 each in the Green Bay and Oshkosh campaigns.

Express Convenience Centers will donate five cents for every gallon of gas sold, up to $30,000, in The P-C's campaign, and $10,000 each in the Green Bay and Oshkosh campaigns.

The Fox Cities Chapter of Credit Unions is donating a matching grant of up to $25,000 in the P-C's campaign.

Community foundations will collect and pay out the donations.