Peg Houle: Her Journey with ICA Legacy Society

For Peg, serving others has never been about checking a box. It's about ensuring every person has the dignity of knowing where their next meal will come from.

Long before she became an ICA volunteer, Peg was packing food boxes at her church in Ocean County, New Jersey. With a background in food science and a lifelong passion for children's health and nutrition, she has always believed that food is the foundation for everything else.

When Peg joined Bethlehem Lutheran Church and learned about ICA, becoming involved felt like a natural next step. She first served as her congregation's ICA representative before volunteering at the food shelf, where she now spends hours each week answering phones and connecting directly with neighbors seeking support.

Those conversations changed her perspective.

"Actually talking to clients on the phone, you realize how much you're learning from them as much as they're learning from us," Peg reflects. "You hear their stories, their resilience, and how much this community means to them."

What began as volunteering quickly became something much deeper.

"ICA has become such an integral part of my life," she says. "I want to make sure ICA is taken care of after I'm gone."

That commitment led Peg to join ICA's Legacy Society, a special community of supporters who have included ICA in their wills or estate plans. For Peg, it was a simple but meaningful way to ensure future generations of neighbors will always have a place to turn during difficult times.

Volunteering has become one of the greatest joys of her retirement. She dedicates nearly 20 hours each week to serving with several organizations, giving back to the community that has given so much to her.

"My parents always made sure our family had what we needed," Peg says. "It's important that I do the same for others."

Peg's story reminds us that a legacy isn't measured only by what we leave behind. It's measured by the lives we touch, the hope we inspire, and the future we help build.

Because of thoughtful supporters like Peg, ICA will continue creating a healthy and stable community for generations to come.