Popcorn Fundraiser

Pack 24 offers many great events and activities designed to enrich your children’s lives. Individual Dens have activities and outings as well. We work to keep our fees and costs to a minimum, but dues cover only about one-third of our annual operating expenses. The Trail's End Popcorn fundraiser helps us do things like put on the Raingutter Regatta, Pinewood Derby, Blue & Gold Banquet, and offer other fun scouting events.

General Selling Information

We do only one fundraising effort each year. Popcorn sales fund Pack activities, and many of our Scouts work hard to sell as much popcorn as they can. In addition to helping fund the Pack’s operations, the Scouts have the ability to earn exciting prizes and develop new social skills interacting with adults/customers. 

There is a minimum sales amount of $300 in popcorn sales. If a scout does not sell $300 worth of popcorn, then an additional registration fee is required to supplement the lack of fundraising (please see the information on the Popcorn Commitment form). The popcorn fundraiser provides the majority of our operating funds to host family outings, Pack meeting programs, awards, and other fun family activities. 

Our Lions (kindergarten-age scouts) are NOT required to sell popcorn and are not required to make a donation in lieu of selling popcorn. In addition, the popcorn commitment is reduced to sales of $200 for our 5th grade scouts because the 5th graders transition in January and do not attend some Spring activities.

Returning Scouts should receive their popcorn order forms at home in the mail in mid-August. New Scouts will be given initial order forms at the September Pack meeting. We'll also discuss selling ideas at the September Pack meeting.

Important Dates

Questions?
Pack 24 Popcorn Kernel, Jason Leung
312-718-3301
jasonjleung@gmail.com

Popcorn FAQs

Who do I go to with questions?
Our Pack 24 Popcorn Kernel, Jason Leung.
 312-718-3301
jasonjleung@gmail.com

When does the popcorn sale start and end?
The 2023 popcorn sale officially starts on August 15 and the last day to sell is November 1. Popcorn order forms will be available at Jason’s house or at the September Pack meeting. Returning Scouts should have received one in the mail.

Our shipment of popcorn for wagon sales, storefront selling, and neighborhood blitzes will arrive August 26. Text Jason to pick up a supply of popcorn or to make exchanges of popcorn supply. Please do not wait till the day of a storefront event to pick up the popcorn.

How do I register for the app?
Even if you record your sales on an order form, you will need to put it into the mobile app. All orders need to go through the app unless it is an online sale through your Scout’s page. If you used the app last year, you should be able to log back into it again this year.

To register for the app the first time, text APP to 62771 or visit trails-end.com/app
➢ Council: Three Fires Council
➢ District: Chippewa - IP
➢ Unit: Pack 24

What is the difference between the selling methods Show & Deliver and Take Order?
With the Show & Deliver (Wagon Sales) method, you are taking a supply of popcorn door-to-door and completing the sale immediately, including product delivery and money collection. With the Take Order method, you are going door-to-door, taking the form to work, or calling friends and relatives and simply taking their orders for delivery later. You will deliver their orders and collect the money at a later date.

What if I don’t sell all the popcorn I take for Wagon Sales, Storefronts or Neighborhood Blitzes? Am I stuck paying for it?
No, you are not stuck with it! Simply coordinate with Jason and bring it back to Jason’s house. If you are doing a storefront with multiple slots, the first Scout should pick up the supplies and the last Scout should return the leftover popcorn. Due to the potential demand for your unsold popcorn, please return your popcorn as soon as possible!

If I don’t get as much popcorn as I need during the initial pick-up, can I come back and get more?
Yes! You can contact Jason and come get more. This would be awesome if we keep selling more!

Can I sell using Show & Deliver AND Take Order?
YES! Please make sure and note when popcorn has been paid for and delivered on your order form. Please also note your sale on the Trails End app.

For the Military popcorn donation, can customers donate less than $30?
Yes. $1 military increments are available to accommodate specific amounts. Customers are also welcome to make any donation to Pack 24, but Pack 24 donations are not tax-deductible.

Is the military popcorn donation tax deductible?
Since the donation is charitable and the customer receives no actual product, the answer is YES, but since tax laws frequently change, the customer should consult their tax advisor regarding whether and how to deduct this donation.

What percentage of the popcorn price goes back to scouting?
Approximately 70% of the purchase price goes back to local scouting programs!

Do I need to turn in my order form if I only do Show & Deliver?
Yes, especially if you qualify for a prize or other incentive! However, we need to keep track of ALL sales, so be sure to turn in your order form with your popcorn payment. Please use the app!

What if I go out selling popcorn with my sibling or another Scout – do we each get credit for the sales?
You will need to divide up your sales. Write down the address of the customer and what they purchased as a minimum. If you know their name, you can add that, too. You do need to keep track of these individual sales so you can keep accurate records of where your popcorn went! Remember, you are responsible for any popcorn that you take for Show & Deliver selling.

Can my customer pay with a check?
Yes. Make checks payable to Pack 24. We can also accept cash. When you are ready to submit your money, please submit any checks you have (payable to Pack 24) and one check for the cash you have collected. Parents should deposit the cash into their own account and write one check to Pack 24 for that amount. This protects you and us – we all have a paper record of your payment!

What if I need more forms?
Call Jason if you need an extra form. It is best to show the customer color pictures of the product! Extra order forms are available. That being said, you should be entering info into your app next to your Scout. The form can be used for showing the product and prices.

Can I turn in money before November 1? Can I return part of my money early and the rest on October 28?
Yes to both questions. We will accept partial or full payments at any time. We need ALL money (for Show & Deliver) and unsold popcorn no later than October 30. If you hit your goals and are done selling, please return unsold popcorn early so we can use it for storefront selling.

When will my customers get their popcorn if they order it from me via the Take Order selling method)?
Based on past history, we should receive the majority of our popcorn mid-September. If we are still waiting on more, the final distribution date is November 5. We will email everyone a pick-up schedule.

Can customers order popcorn online from Trail’s End?
Yes! Our Pack and the Scout will still get a percentage of the sale. Your Scout would need to register to sell online at www.Trails-End.com. You will need to know our Council (Three Fires Council), District (Chippewa Trails), and Pack number (24).

This is a great selling method for reaching out-of-town relatives and friends! Online sales also count toward the prizes Scouts can earn. Please see the detailed instructions on setting up your Scout’s online account.

Who can I turn in my order forms to?
You can turn them in to your Popcorn Kernel, Jason Leung. All order forms are due no later than October 30. Please note, credit cards for all transactions is the preferred method of payment. If you do collect cash, please consider paying your total amount due for the popcorn at the end via credit cards (Trail’s End Website).

How do I select my prize?
All Take Order sales must be entered via the Trail's End app/website to be eligible for prizes.


For more popcorn selling resources, check out the Three Fires Council Popcorn Resources page.

Prizes

2023 Bonus Prizes

In addition to the prizes that you will receive from Trails End for selling popcorn (see mailer sent home), you can expect the following BONUS prizes:

Council Bonus Prizes:

Pack Bonus Prizes:

How to Sell With the App

If you sold using the app last year, you should be able to sign in again using your same information. If you are registering for the first time, text APP to 62771 to get a link to download.

➢ Council: Three Fires Council
➢ District: Chippewa - IP
➢ Unit: Pack 24

This video from Trail's End provides instructions on how to sell popcorn using the app.

Selling Methods

Online Direct
Share your Trail's End fundraising page via email, text, or social media. Customers click your link to place online orders and products ship directly to them.

Storefront Table Sales
Simply sign up for a shift (solo and group slots available) in the app and show up ready to sell! All storefront sales will be recorded in the app and shared among the Scouts selling that day.

Show & Deliver (Wagon Sales)
Sell door-to-door the old fashioned way, either delivering product as you make the sale, or delivering to the customer at a later date. All sales should be entered into your app.

All popcorn sales must be entered into the app or website by November 1.