There are now new faces behind the windows of the popcorn wagon.
Knights of Columbus Waupaca Council 3432 of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Community has purchased the wagon from the Kiwanis Club.
“They have disbanded. They’ve supported a lot of good charitable organizations through the years,” Giles Bellin said of the Kiwanis Club.
Bellin, program coordinator of the local Knights council, said Kiwanis members approached the Knights earlier this spring to let the council know that the popcorn wagon would be for sale.
“They wanted it to stay in the area and benefit some of the organizations they’ve been supporting,” Bellin said.
The Knights are being joined by youth from St. Mary Magdalene in running the popcorn operation.
Each summer, high school students from the parish do service work in other parts of the United States as part of Young Neighbors in Action.
This week, nine students are in Gallup, N.M. A second group of students will be traveling to St. Louis to do service work.
The students raise funds to go on the trips, and now, these students have another fundraising option.
“We’re planning to do a breakout with Young Neighbors in Action,” Bellin said. “Based on the time they put in (helping with the wagon), they will be compensated for the time they put in.”
Last weekend’s Strawberry Fest was the first event for the Knights and the youth, and he said the two groups are also committed to working together on July 4.
The Knights raises funds to support the parish, youth, scouts, Coats and Boots for Kids, scholarships, a seminarian, three area food pantries and to help those facing difficulties from fires or surgeries.