Sep 9 – Sep 30: Popcorn Fundraiser

  Pack 1776

It is the time for our annual popcorn fundraiser again!  The funds we raise through popcorn helps cover registration fees, trips, and activities for the scouts.  It is also a great learning opportunity for them to gain experiences in public speaking, math, salesmanship, perseverance, and teamwork.  In addition to the valuable learnings, it also comes with tangible rewards.  We highly encourage every scout, regardless of age or experience, to participate in the fundraiser!

Popcorn team for 2023

We are here to provide logistical support to all participating scouts and parents to make it a success!

Storefront sales

Getting ready

1. Download Trail’s End App.  (Text “APP” to 62771 to download, or download from Appstore/GooglePlay). One account per scout, so Mom or Dad will have to set up the account and share the login information with the other parent. Select “Golden Gate Area Council” for council, "Meridian" for the district and "Pack 1776" for the unit.
   1. Siblings can share one account and combine their proceeds and donations toward the pack rankings.
2. After activation and sign-in, go to “Storefront Sales” and find shifts available for sign-up on the calendar (calendar icon).
3. Signing up for 2 or more shifts is recommended.  This ensures the scout gets a chance to start a positive feedback loop in which he/she gets to apply what he/she learned from the previous storefront experience.  This also likely allows the scout enough opportunity to sell enough popcorn to qualify for Trail’s End’s Amazon gift card reward.

Selling popcorn

1. !! IMPORTANT !! If you have the first shift of the day, please pick up inventory and supplies the night before your shift.
2. Set up—set up table and tablecloth with banner secured in front of the table.  Set up display products with price labels affixed.  Set up Pack Donation Bin and Square Credit Card reader.
3. Start of shift—please arrive 10 minutes before your shift begins.  Verify inventory and proceeds with previous shift scout/parent.  Make sure there’s $60 in small bills in cashbox for change. 
4. Sales—Be friendly, smile and greet everyone.  Show gratitude even if someone does not show interest.  Always say “thank you”.
5. Record each sale in Trail’s End App with the appropriate payment type and also write it down on the tracking form.  
6. End of shift—count inventory and proceeds with the next shift scout/parent.  Put all proceeds and donations from the shift, along with the tracking form, in a new envelope, then label, seal, and hand it to the next shift scout/parent.
7. End of day (last shift of the day)—return remaining inventory, all supplies, and all proceeds in envelopes.

Donation

            Some folks prefer to give a cash donation than buying popcorn.  We appreciate and welcome any amount.  If the customer is not sure about buying popcorn, go ahead and ask if he’s willing to donate a small amount.  This is the amount we get to keep 100%.  

Credit card donations are available on Trail’s End app as “Heroes and Helpers Donation”, however, the amount does not go to Pack 1776.

Pack volunteer credit

         Every shift gives you 1 hour toward the pack volunteer credit.  For shifts that require pick-up/drop-off of the inventory at Chris’ place, you get 1 more hour for the extra time needed.  If we change location mid-day, the scout/parent of the starting shift of the new location needs to tear-down and set up the table, and will get 1 more hour of credit.

Tips and things to remember

1. All cub scouts wear Class A Uniform when selling popcorn.
2.  Be courteous and respectful.
3.  Cubs may ask “Would you like to support local cub scouts?” to approach customers.
4.  Customers are delighted when cubs talk to them.  Cubs can tell them which popcorn is their favorite.
5.  If customers are not sure if they are willing to buy popcorn, encourage them to donate any amount to the donation bin and thank them.
6. Make sure customers know we take credit cards.  Some customers may not have enough cash with them.
7. Please mark it down on your calendar when you sign up for a shift and make sure you do not miss it.
8. If you need additional popcorn or have any questions, please call or text Chris/Ravi/Charlie.  We will have someone on standby during popcorn sales hours.
9. Always smile and say thank you.
10. Congratulate your cubs for their results!

For additional information about online selling and additional selling tips, please visit www.trails-end.com

Other ways to sell popcorn

Besides storefronts, there are other ways available to sell popcorn. 

1.  Show and Deliver (wagon sales)—parents and scouts take products in wagons and sell door-to-door in the neighborhood.
2. Take Order—parents and scouts go door-to-door and collect orders, return them to the popcorn team and deliver at a later date.
3. Online Sales—share fundraising page (or scout code) via email or social media.  Supporters visit and transact on-line at www.trails-end.com.  Makes it easy to get support from friends and family who do not live close-by.  A good way to generate extra sales without additional time from parents and scouts.

Prizes

We offer multiple prizes as rewards to the participation, as well as outstanding contribution to the pack.

• Every scout who sells at least $1 will get a Popcorn Patch, a Pack 1776 multi-color pen, and a Pack 1776 Carabiner Keychain.
• Every scout who sells $500 or more (popcorn proceeds) will receive an Amazon gift card from Trail’s End reward program.
• Top 3 scouts (sales + donation) will receive special prizes.

Top 3 (sales + donation) prizes: 

1st place:  ~$250 value Potensic Drone with Camera 4K EIS, portable and foldable for beginners 

2nd place: ~$100-150 value Nikon Aculon A211 10x42 Binoculars 

3rd place:  ~$75-100 value Outside Inside Pop-up Badminton Set for camping or outing

Popcorn raffle

This year, we are making $1,250 available for a raffle with drawings taking place at the 9/20 and 11/15 pack meetings.  The more shifts completed, the higher the chance to win a $50 gift card.

Raffle prizes

• 25 x $50 gift cards (Amazon & Lego)
• 10 to be drawn at the 9/20 Pack meeting 
• 15 to be drawn at the 11/15 Pack meeting

Raffle rules:

• Each completed shift earns one raffle ticket.  The more shifts completed, the higher the chance to win.
  • If you complete 2 shifts before 9/20, your chance of winning is greater than 23%.
  • If you complete 4 shifts before 9/20, your chance of winning is greater than 41%
• Scouts can only win once per drawing.  If a scout wins again at the same drawing, the drawn ticket is set aside to be entered again for the next drawing.
• All undrawn raffle tickets remain in the pool to be drawn again.  For example, raffle tickets not won at the 9/20 Pack meeting automatically enter the 11/15 drawing.