Those Who Serve
Short profiles of the Jefferson County neighbors who answer the call in public safety, social work, and community care.
Larry Hostetler: A Legacy of Neighbor Helping Neighbor
From pantry days to disaster response, The Salvation Army in Arnold is looking for people willing to serve their neighbors in practical, local ways.
Photo Courtesy of Larry Hostetler
For many Jefferson County residents, helping a neighbor sounds like something they would gladly do.
The harder question is where to start.
At The Salvation Army in Arnold, the answer may be simpler than people realize. Whether someone has a few hours to volunteer, food to donate, a financial gift to give, or a desire to help their own part of the county, there are practical ways to serve.
Larry Hostetler, who is preparing to retire from his role with The Salvation Army in Arnold, said the work is broad because the needs of the community are broad. As the organization prepares to name his replacement this week, Hostetler’s message remains focused on the same mission he has spent years helping carry forward: local people serving local needs.
The organization helps with food, rent, utilities, referrals, disaster response, thrift-store vouchers, recovery support, and more. But none of that happens without people willing to give, serve, organize, and show up.
“We always need volunteers. It’s not a matter of do you need it; it’s what can you do?”
One of the most visible volunteer opportunities is the weekly food pantry. At the Arnold location, volunteers help sort donations, stock shelves, greet families, assist with paperwork, and walk people through the pantry as they select food for their household.
That personal approach is intentional. Rather than handing each family a pre-packed box, volunteers help neighbors choose items that fit their needs, their family size, and even their dietary restrictions. It is more personal, more practical, and helps make the pantry’s resources last longer.
Volunteers also help with food deliveries and sorting. Hostetler described a recent delivery of a pallet of food that had to be unloaded, moved into the pantry, and placed where it could be used. That kind of behind-the-scenes work may not get much attention, but it is essential to keeping the pantry running.
Volunteers help make the day-to-day work possible, from pantry service to seasonal outreach.
There is also office work. Volunteers can help answer phones, assist with forms, support pantry check-ins, or help people sign up for programs like LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
For others, service may happen during a crisis.
The Salvation Army has a disaster services canteen in Jefferson County that can be deployed during events like tornadoes, floods, major fires, or other emergencies. In those moments, volunteers may help serve meals, support first responders, assist families affected by the disaster, or help connect people with the next resource they need.
Hostetler said disaster response involves more than simply handing out food. It can include food service, spiritual and emotional care, housing support, public information, casework, and trained volunteers who know how to respond when a community is hurting.
That is one reason The Salvation Army is also working to build service extensions throughout Jefferson County.
The Arnold location sits in the northeast part of the county. But for a family in De Soto, Dittmer, Hillsboro, or the southern and western parts of Jefferson County, driving to Arnold may not be practical, especially if they are already struggling with gas money or transportation.
The goal is to have local people helping local people.
“There is nothing better than to provide the service locally with local people.”
A volunteer in Dittmer knows Dittmer. A volunteer in De Soto knows De Soto. A volunteer in Hillsboro understands the needs, churches, organizations, and resources in that part of the county. That local knowledge can make a real difference, whether the need is food, utility assistance, disaster response, toy distribution, or recruiting bell ringers.
Danette Davidson, assistant director at the Arnold location, said the hope is to have people in different parts of the county who can help identify needs, recruit volunteers, assist with local service efforts, and help connect Salvation Army resources to the people who need them.
The Blessing Box outside The Salvation Army offers a simple reminder: take what you need, leave what you can.
The Salvation Army also needs help during seasonal efforts.
This July, the Arnold location is planning Christmas in July bell ringing. Hostetler said they received approval from Walmart to ring bells during July for the first time in his memory. The current plan includes three Saturdays: July 11, July 18, and July 25, with Arnold confirmed and possible opportunities in Festus, De Soto, and Fenton.
For people who have always wanted to ring bells but do not enjoy standing outside in the cold, Christmas in July may be the perfect opportunity.
The Salvation Army also relies on volunteers for Christmas toy distribution. Staff help sign families up for assistance, but volunteers help make the distribution possible. Davidson said the ideal goal is to have local leaders throughout the county who can help with toy distribution, bell ringing, disaster services, and community assistance in their own areas.
The Salvation Army also helps connect neighbors with practical resources beyond food assistance.
Another major way to support the work is through the annual golf tournament. Hostetler said the tournament has been going on for more than 20 years and continues to grow. Last year, it moved to The Legends in Eureka and had one of its strongest turnouts in years. Sponsorships and teams were already filling quickly at the time of the interview.
The annual golf tournament is one of the major ways residents and businesses can support The Salvation Army’s local work.
Financial support is especially important because the needs change from week to week. Sometimes the pantry needs protein. Sometimes the greater need is rent or utility assistance. Sometimes donated hygiene items are abundant, but financial resources are needed to respond to urgent requests.
Money given locally helps The Salvation Army respond to the need directly in front of them.
Hostetler said he has made a commitment that money raised in a community stays in that community. So if money is raised through a kettle in De Soto, Festus, Fenton, or another local area, the goal is for those funds to help meet needs in that area.
That local commitment is part of the legacy Hostetler hopes continues after his retirement. While leadership may change, the need for volunteers, donors, local service extensions, and community partnerships remains.
That matters because this work is deeply local.
The person who needs help with utilities may live down the street. The family visiting the pantry may sit beside you at church. The first responder served by the canteen may be someone you know. The child receiving Christmas assistance may be in your child’s classroom.
For The Salvation Army in Jefferson County, the mission is not abstract. It is neighbor helping neighbor.
And there is room for more neighbors to help.
Those interested in serving can volunteer with pantry days, disaster response, bell ringing, toy distribution, office help, food sorting, community service extensions, or local fundraising efforts.
The need is real.
But so is the opportunity to meet it.
Know someone who should be featured in Those Who Serve? Send their name, role, and a short note about their service to The Jefferson Review.
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