This is a celebration of 25 amazing years in the community with a day of fun, free hot dogs, and new Butter Me Up popcorn!

Taste of Heaven began in 1999 with a $10 bill and a challenge. The challenge was based on a parable from Matthew 25:14-30 in which three servants were entrusted with a different amount of silver and later called to account for their stewardship of the riches.  Similarly, a total of $8800 was distributed, in varying amounts, to about 950 church members who were asked to account for their stewardship ten months later.

Our founder, Peg Throop, received an envelope with $10.  After four months, she used that money to purchase chocolate to drizzle on her homemade caramel corn, initially giving some away.  She then began to sell her amazing drizzled caramel corn product and returned $800 ten months later and began a new business.

Since its inception, Throop always knew that proceeds from the business could impact her community. After a number of years of growth and giving back, Taste of Heaven became incorporated into the ministry of Youth For Christ (YFC) with all proceeds going to support the ministry. Taste of Heaven continues to contribute all net proceeds to the programs and the ministry impact that YFC has in and around Kalamazoo.

Taste of Heaven continues to operate on the principles that started this whole tasty sensation. Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the LORD is good! How blessed is the person who trusts in him!”