APPLETON — The Post-Crescent's "Stock the Shelves" Do It! Community Campaign to benefit 19 Fox Valley food pantries enjoyed a great start in the fundraiser's first week.

P-C readers, community partners, businesses and civic organizations combined to donate $14,825 through Friday morning.

After $35,000 donations from the J. J. Keller Foundation, Express Convenience Centers and Fox Cities credit unions, that's roughly one-third of the amount needed to reach the campaign's $150,000 goal.

"To say we're thrilled is an understatement," said Dan Flannery, The P-C's executive editor. "This was a great early showing by our readers and partners throughout the community, but we know we have a long way to go. We can't stop pushing."

Last year's "Stock the Shelves" campaign raised a record $73,000, thanks to the Keller Foundation's $35,000 matching grant, and prompted increased financial involvement from Express Convenience Centers and 18 Fox Valley credit unions. Express is donating 5 cents for every gallon of gasoline sold, up to $35,000, while the credit unions have combined resources for another $35,000 donation.

The P-C is asking readers and partners to donate $45,000 to reach the $150,000 goal. The campaign is scheduled to end Nov. 22.

Donations can be made online via credit card. Visit the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region at community.cffoxvalley.org and scroll down to "Give to Stock the Shelves." Donors also can reach the Community Foundation's site through The P-C's "Do It!" site: www.postcrescent. com/doit.

Through checks, credit cards and cash, financial donations can be made at each of the participating Fox Valley credit unions.

Donors are named in promotional ads in The P-C throughout the campaign. Today's ad is on Page D-5.

Donation collection cans are placed at registers in each Express Convenience Center.

"We're hoping for another great week," Flannery said. "Our Do It! slogan for this year is 'Now. More than ever' and that's for a pretty clear reason. People are hurting in this economy, and this is an obvious time for us to take care of our neighbors. It's our time to shine for them."

For the first time in the 14 years of "Stock the Shelves" campaigns, donations of food are also being accepted. Express Convenience Centers throughout the Fox Cities are drop-off points for nonperishable food, which will be collected by St. Joseph's Food Program in Menasha.