Mission Mayor Ted Adlem is establishing a tradition this year with a mayor’s charity golf tournament on July 21, one that he intends to hold annually.

The first recipient of this attention is an organization that has been operating under the public radar, until now – St. Joseph’s Parish church food bank on 7th Avenue.

For the past 20 years, people in need have found sustenance tucked away in the basement of St. Joseph’s in Mission.

Twice a month, those down in their luck, low-income families and others are able to take home bags of nutritious food, thanks to the quiet support of the parish’s volunteers, Knight of Columbus members and the $2 food coupons available at local participating grocery stores.

The need has grown steadily, and today about $50,000 worth of food is distributed to an average of 300 households a month at St. Joe’s food bank.

Ron Leger, a Mission accountant who has volunteered with the food bank since 1996, said the operation, now a member of Food Banks Canada, has simply outgrown the church basement.

After approvals from the provincial archbishop, the church is constructing a free-standing, purpose-built 3,720 square foot building on its property. The completed cost will be between $350,000 and $400,000, Leger figures.

“The engineering work is done, the foundation is in. The next step is lock-up,” he said.

The building will have a large cooler, lots of storage, a practical layout, and a large overhang at the level front entrance where people will be sheltered from the weather, said Leger, who oversees the accounting of the project.

The work is ordered as the food bank acquires the money for it.

Leger is acquiring donations from various trades, and the District of Mission has knocked off $16,000 in development cost charges from the $18,00 due.

Adlem said it was an easy decision to support St. Joe’s food bank.

“It was to help out a good friend and a good cause,” he said.

“Ron never gets any credit. This project is the classiest thing he’s done. So St. Joseph’s will be the first recipient, no question.”

The tournament is set for July 21 at the Mission Golf Course, with a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start, said organizer Cory Cassel.

The cost is $175 per person, and that includes golfing, the use of a golf cart, dinner, a tea gift and lots of prizes.

Boston Pizza, Mr. Mike’s, Mission Chamber of Commerce president Elyssa Lockhart and others will have food and refreshments at various locations on the course.

“We will have a hole-in-one prize, and that is $5,000 cash, donated by [Mission] Coun. Tony Luck, and the company he works for, the Investors Group,” said Cassel, community development liaison for Mission Community Services.

Pioneer Jeep Chrysler is donating a flight to Vegas and hotel accommodation in a $20 raffle.

So far the response has been great, Cassel said.

Twelve of the 18 available foursome teams have been purchased, and all the hole sponsorships, at $350 each have been claimed.

Cassel is still looking for a golf cart sponsor, which will get the sponsor’s name on each golf cart, and tournament sponsorships – these are $1,500 each and will get sponsors a name on a plaque at the new food bank building.

- Team and single spots are also still open. If you want to register or ask about sponsoring, contact Cassel at 604-832-3130.