GARFIELD -- Bag after bag was loaded with cans of green beans, corn, sweet potatoes and pumpkin, boxes of stuffing and mashed potato mix, loaves of bread and rolls, then neatly organized on a table. Bags of sugar and flour were added, as were dessert snacks. Conversation waxed and waned as the volunteers worked swiftly and carefully packing the Thanksgiving bags to provide meals for the families of the northeast Benton County area serviced by God's Pantry.

There is no sponsoring church or organization. God's Pantry depends solely on the donations of the community and the hard work of the volunteers, ladies from their mid-30s to 82 years of age.

"Every family gets either a ham or a chicken breast," Leslie Detman, president of the God's Pantry Board of Directors, said. "We help people in three communities -- Garfield, Gateway and Pea Ridge."

"We get paid in love," Janice Osterfeld said, smiling as the volunteers all concurred.

Detman said about 225 people are serviced every month. She said there were about 80 people given Thanksgiving baskets lasts year.

God's Pantry buys food from the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank and receive USDA food for people who qualify. Other items, mostly hygiene items, are purchased from various sources.

There is also a thrift store selling items including furniture. Proceeds from thrift store sales fund the food pantry.

"They come in every Thursday when we distribute food," Rathmell said of volunteers. Volunteers work several days a week picking up food, unpacking it and preparing it for distribution as well as distributing it on Thursdays.

"We go to United Way twice a month and get diapers, paper goods and other toiletries," Rathmell said, "to provide the kid of stuff people can't get with their food stamps."

"We get a pallet of stuff," Rathmell said. "We move it, then unload a case of it. It's not for old ladies and that's what we are."

God's Pantry began in 2009 with the efforts of Detman and Patty Gardner who originally stored items in Gardner's house.

"Patty and I were going through a Bible study on the other side of the lake. We wanted to do something more than just study the bible. This is more like doing what God put on our heart... we started with $400," Detman said.

"God has blessed us and blessed us and blessed us.

"Most of us have been here since we started," Rathmell said.