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It was as if an imaginary dinner bell had been struck in Garden City as hundreds of people converged on First Christian Church, 306 N. Seventh St., Saturday for its ninth annual Navajo taco fundraiser.

And they kept coming and coming until 1,370 plates had been served, up from 900 to 1,000 last year, Pastor Lisa Klaus said this morning. It was the busiest year the event has ever seen.

Church member Gale Frank, who was manning one of several serving positions, said about 700 people were served during lunch.

"Had a line about a mile long," he said. "It stayed that way for two hours."

In that time frame, Frank said the kitchen staff went through more than 390 pounds of beef, 100 pounds of onion and 100 pounds of dry beans.

Klaus said the church didn't have a total amount of money raised from the dinner and the auction that followed, but she estimated the event raised more than $10,000 based on ticket sales, though some bills would have to be paid from that amount.

"We are completely blown away," Klaus said.

Pastor Paul Klaus said the fundraiser wouldn't be possible without donations -- ¬­ including 140 homemade pies, flour donations from Heartland Mills in Marienthal and Pace salsa donations from the Campbell Soup plant in Paris, Texas -- volunteers and a giving community.

Money raised at the event will go to Emmaus House, a local food pantry and soup kitchen that also serves as a homeless shelter, Family Crisis Services and the local Habitat for Humanity.

"We are here to help those in need, and we are thankful for the community's support in helping us help others," Paul Klaus said.

Holcomb resident Carrie Haas, who attended the event with family, said she and her husband, Ron, are on the fundraising committee for Emmaus House and were impressed with the turnout at the church.

"If we could get this many people to attend our fundraisers, it would be great," she said.

Haas, who had brought her husband and 9-year-old son, William, said she definitely got her money's worth.

The Navajo taco, which is made with Navajo bread that is fried and then layered with hamburger, beans, cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion with a side of sauce, took up more than half of the plate they were served on.

"I know I couldn't eat all of mine," Haas said.

She said instead of wasting any of the food, she simply gave it to Ron -- the human garbage disposal -- who ate his taco, and the leftovers from his son's and wife's plates, plus a slice of pie.

"I'm full," he said.