MARYSVILLE — The first ever Seeds of Grace Food Bank golf tournament drew dozens of competitors to Cedarcrest Golf Course on Friday, Aug. 2, and despite adverse weather conditions, the event raised more than $2,100 for the food bank.

“This inaugural tournament brings this community together in a meaningful way to support our most vulnerable,” said Nathan Crain, volunteer tournament organizer. “By engaging the broader community and collaborating to create solutions to the community’s needs, the entire community benefits.”

The money raised during the tournament will flow directly into the Seeds of Grace Food Bank, an outreach of Allen Creek Community Church in Marysville, to purchase food and supplies for the organization. The food bank was opened almost 10 years ago, serving roughly 175 families each week and distributing 20,000 pounds of food each month, according to director Michelle Turner.

“This is my first time playing on this course,” said Ryan Hoggatt, who found out about the fundraiser through a coworker. “I work with a guy who is actively involved in the church that puts this on. I just wanted to come out here to support them and support the charity. This is the first fundraising tournament I’ve ever done. I think I will be back next year. This seems like a nice tournament and a nice course, so I plan on playing again.”

Gage St. John, a Marysville Getchell senior who competed in the state golf tournament last year, also came out to support the charity.

“My dad works for Cedar Grove,” said St. John, of the local company that was a Gold Sponsor for the event. “They had a couple open spots and wanted to know if I wanted play.”

St. John has been spending a lot of time at his job, but he was glad to have the opportunity to keep his golf game sharp.

“I’ve been working a lot and I’ve only been playing a couple times this summer,” he said. “I want to keep playing so I can get ready for next year. And I will absolutely play this tournament again next year.”

“Cedar Grove has supported Seeds of Grace through donating to their co-op farm, First Fruits, for years, this year donating 50 yards of compost,” said Karen Dawson, community relations director for Cedar Grove.

“Seeds of Grace is committed to feeding hungry people in the city of Marysville and we’ve been fortunate enough to partner with them in that effort, all the while truly closing the loop on organics recycling by making compost locally, donating that compost to the First Fruits Farm in Marysville and enabling Marysville residents to grow healthy food to feed Marysville’s hungry.”

People in need can stop by the Distribution Center on Thursday or Saturday between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. (excluding holidays).

The center is located in the building directly south of Allen Creek Community Church at 7302 44th Ave. NE, Suite B2,  in Marysville.

For more information about Seeds of Grace, visit www.ac3.org.