MATTOON - Jim Arnholt only has to look outside the door of the Mattoon Community Food Center to realize how vital his work can be.

"A half hour before we open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, a line is forming outside," said Arnholt, a retired education administrator. "And when we open after 1:30, the chairs in the waiting room are usually all filled. The need is out there in the community, whatever the reason."

In a few weeks, Arnholt will be ending his tenure as executive director. He is continuing a tradition to serve three years and then hand over the keys to the office for the job that offers no pay.

"Oh, I'll still be involved with the food center in some manner. But as executive director, it is hard to get away for 10 days or a couple of weeks, and my wife and I have some trips planned," he said.

Since Arnholt took over as executive director in 2004, the food pantry has served more than 44,000 people with free food and some hygiene items.

"2006 was the biggest year we ever had, and 2007 will be right behind it," he said.

The beneficiaries of the charity include elderly trying to get by on Social Security checks, single parents facing tight budgets and people between jobs or without enough wages to pay all the bills. The food center helps fill some gaps through the month, not every day.

"Whether it's for households or for one (person), we have the boxes marked for each number served," Arnholt said.

The food center, which has served the community for 21 years at 600 Moultrie Ave., has packaged food items ready for distribution.

Arnholt is proud of the dozens of volunteers dedicated to keeping the food center operating.

"We're all volunteers here. That is one of the strengths of it," he said while pointing at a work sheet for the distribution days.

On Friday, some of the food center volunteers honored Arnholdt for his extra efforts at the center.

"He has worked his tail off," said Nancy Oliver, a food center volunteer. "He cleans the place by himself. He is a good example for us all."

Arnholt's replacement has not been named yet by the board of directors.

Herb Meeker can be reached at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.