APPLETON — A few of us started planning last March for this year's "Stock the Shelves" event.

Truth be told, we had no idea what to expect.

We knew that our community was kind, caring, giving and compassionate.

But we doubted that we could collect $150,000 for this year's "Stock the Shelves," the final of the three annual Do It! Community Campaigns sponsored by The Post-Crescent.

After all, it was a bad economy, and it was likely that folks would rather hang on to their money instead of donating to a fundraiser for Fox Valley food pantries.

But you proved us wrong.

The final total for the 2009 "Stock the Shelves" campaign is $275,000.

That's $202,000 more than last year's record total.

And it's about $40,000 more than the previous 13 "Stock the Shelves" campaigns combined.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

You make us proud.

More than $130,000 went to the St. Joseph Food Program in Menasha, the area's largest food pantry, which serves more than 1,000 people each week.

The other 18 pantries received checks for about $7,900, almost twice what we gave them a year ago.

Planning for this year's "Stock the Shelves" began with a March meeting between The P-C, The J. J. Keller Foundation and Express Convenience Centers. The Keller Foundation was a strong supporter in 2008 with a $35,000 matching grant, and was happy to repeat that amount this year.

Express Convenience Centers was eager to help with another $35,000 — a nickel for each gallon of gas sold at its Fox Cities locations, up to that amount.

We brainstormed for other civic-minded corporate partners, and found one in the Fox Cities Chapter of Credit Unions. Eighteen credit unions combined to add another $35,000.

In the campaign's five weeks, the Keller Foundation and Express Centers each donated another $15,000, and Express Centers and credit union branches collected 6,000 food items.

Donations of money came from all corners, from an anonymous $35,000 gift to the spare change collected in classrooms, Express stations and credit unions.

Every last penny makes a difference for someone in the Fox Valley.

It's a holiday story, sure. But here, it's an everyday story, too.

This newspaper told the story of a community need, and gave you a way to make a difference.

As always, you did your part, and we were thrilled to do ours.

This week marks my 24th year in the Fox Cities. I've never been prouder to live anywhere.

A new year waits around the corner, and new challenges will come with it.

We'll still point out needs, and give you ways to help. We work well together.

Merry Christmas.

Dan Flannery: 920-993-1000, ext. 237, or dflannery@postcrescent.com