BEAN STATION, Tenn. (WVLT) -- It was standing room only in the sanctuary of a small, Grainger County church Friday as more than 900 people waited in line to get food.

For many of those families, this once-a-month food pantry is a chance to get what they need.

But, the church is overwhelmed and needs your help.

"I know a lot that comes here.They're like me. I guess they just don't have no other place to go," Betty Dalton told Volunteer TV.

Dalton has been here at least six times before. She says she doesn't know how her family would have gotten through some months without this food.

On Friday, she said she'd never seen this many of her neighbors, in her situation.

"This is the first time I've come that I've had to stand up before getting a seat to sit down," Dalton said.

The pastor of Bean Station Worship Center says his heart was tugged more than a year ago.

"It's amazing how many people is without food. I would never dream in my life there's this many people without food," Pastor Franklin Allen said.

Now, every third Friday of the month, hundreds in his community show up, sign in and get a ticket to wait in line for a bag of food.

Pew by pew, and hour by hour, they wait their turn.

"Times are real hard-- especially when you have a family," Dalton sighed.

"This is a very small church. It's a very small church doing large things," Heidi Boling, a Second Harvest Agency Relations Manager said.

Second Harvest Food Bank says their mission is being accomplished through the Bean Station Worship Center congregation, which feeds on average 7-800 a month.

More than 20% of Grainger County families live in poverty.

"When you look, it's farmland not a lot of factories; not a lot of opportunities for employment here," Boling said.

And, as long as hunger and need co-exist, Pastor Franklin Allen says his church will try to provide.

"This is what it's all about. Reaching out to people that needs it," Pastor Allen said.

It takes $2500-3,000 each month to keep this food pantry operating .

And with the numbers growing each time, the pastor says they won't be able to continue like this much longer.

If you can help donate food, money or your time call (423) 277-1198.