CAMARILLO, CA - Ever since Houweling’s Chairman of the Board, Casey Houweling, visited Impact Ministries in Tactic, Guatemala in 2012, he and the company were moved to action. Meeting Impact Ministries Founders, Les and Rita Peters, who have established six school sites in the country, Casey said he was struck by the opportunity to teach the children about nutrition and healthy eating habits, thus creating the Seeds of Tomorrow Project.

Casey stated, “I realized we could make a difference. From there, my vision for the Seeds of Tomorrow Project was born.”

Since Casey’s powerful visit, and with the help of KUBO Group, industry partners, and donations, Houweling’s spearheaded the construction of a propagation greenhouse. Opened on September 30, 2013, the company says an abundance of vegetables have been added to the daily meal program, as well as a new agriculture program and nutrition and home economic classes in the Impact Ministry schools. 

According to a press release, donations for a new commercial kitchen were raised in December 2015 through a Guatemalan themed Gala fundraiser in Ventura County, CA. Now feeding 1,600 children per day, the program provides high-quality food at $0.40 per meal. 

A former student, Edgar Suc, has now been appointed Head Farmer of the greenhouse, in charge of growing all produce for the meal programs, then selling the extra supplies in the market. Noticing that many of the schools’ students were deficient in iron, Casey pushed for the recent addition of kale to the greenhouse, which Suc has already implemented into meal.

“It is wonderful to see the children eat EVERYTHING we put on their plates,” Les remarked. “For me, seeing hungry children being fed is very emotional. I can’t imagine how they feel. They truly show their gratitude.”

Most recently, both Kubo Group and Houweling’s shipped Tactic’s school sites freight containers filled with school furniture, including desks, chairs, and musical instruments, as well as clothing and toys for the families. The company added that rain Ponchos were also purchased in order to keep the children dry as they walk to and from school each day. “The staff, students and the families receiving these items were very grateful. It is wonderful to have the opportunity to bless these special people,” added Peters.

For more information about Impact Ministries, please visit its website, www.impactministries.ca or www.impactministriesusa.org. Donations can be made to the Seeds of Tomorrow Project online at https://connect.egiving.com/seeds-of-tomorrow/impact-ministries-usa for the U.S., and Canadian donations can be made at http://www.impactministries.ca/donate-1-landing/.

Houweling's