Page 202 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2025

FINAL SAY
CHRISTEN
DUHÉ
President and Executive Director, Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Months ago, when I was first approached about doing the Final Say in this month’s issue, I was excited to talk about giving and how great everyone and everything was, sunshine and rainbows, etc. Now, as
I write this, we’re going through the longest government shutdown
in history and I’m going to be very honest with you: We’re currently living in a time where it’s easy to see the worst in people.
From the news to social media, we are inundated with examples of privilege, selfishness, and an overall lack of empathy for our fellow community members. People are hungry, they’re homeless, jobless, and feel disheartened. If I wasn’t in my current position as the president and executive director of Gulf Coast Community Foundation (GCCF), I might think there was no hope for us as a society.
The truth of the matter is, we have no idea what other people are going through. That shiny perfect life you see others living on social media? It’s not real. We live in a time where we have to appear like everything is fine, but in reality, most of us are that meme where the dog is sitting in a room that’s on fire with the caption, “This is Fine.” But you know what? It’s not fine, most of us aren’t okay, and quite frankly, there aren’t enough therapists out there to help us with all our problems.
You might be thinking, “Christen, what’s your point?” My point is that because of my work with GCCF, I know there are great people out there because I get to talk to them every day. We get calls from individuals and organizations daily asking how they can help those
in need, both in our community and abroad. One of our local businesses reached out recently about how they could help Jamaica with their recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa. Another local business gathered a group of other businesses in our area to see how they could work together to help local food pantries during this rising food crisis we’re experiencing.
Before the government shutdown, our local pantries encountered more clients because of rising food costs and inflation, and now
that folks have gone over a month with no paycheck, these pantries are in more dire need of food to help those in need. You may not realize this, but you know someone who is having to visit a local food pantry. They seem fine and they don’t want to burden you with their problems, but they are struggling. Do you know how much courage it takes to walk into a food pantry and ask for help to feed your family? This is someone you see at work, that you go to church with, or your kids go to the same school. I pray you never have to experience what they’re going through.
Individuals in our community have created free pantries for those in need. It’s been a beautiful thing to see. The downside of these
pantries are the keyboard warriors on social media who try to shame people who have been spotted utilizing these pantries “more than the appropriate number of times” to get food. I’ve seen comments under posts from people who honestly probably never donated food to that community pantry to begin with saying things like, “This is why I’m not giving any more food” or “These people are just taking advantage of us by taking more food than they need.”
To the Carls* and Susans* of the world, what is the appropriate number of times to visit a community food pantry? How does it hurt you if they took two cans of your Great Value green beans instead of just one? (No hate on the Great Value brand. I have a pantry full of the stuff). Maybe these “repeat offenders” are getting food for others who don’t have transportation, maybe they are taking it to some friends of theirs who won’t ask for help, but what I know for certain is—it’s none of your business. You give because you want to and without any expectation of getting anything back.
I get to see the other side of the social media comments that most of you don’t get to see. For every person out there who won’t give because of the fear someone will take advantage of the system, there are two or three more reaching out to GCCF asking how they can help. The Mississippi Gulf Coast is no stranger to helping our fellow neighbors during a tough time. What we’re experiencing isn’t a hurricane, but it’s still a crisis. Be one of the ones lending a hand, not slapping someone else’s when they’re reaching for that can of green beans.
When I was growing up, one of my favorite shows was “The Wonder Years,” and I especially loved the theme song, “With a Little Help From My Friends.” As the lyrics say, “I get by with a little help from my friends,” and now is the opportunity for all of us to be friends to those who need our help. Don’t let the news or social media drag you down. We are still a strong community filled with good people. If you’re not sure how to help, reach out to GCCF and we’ll help you put your passion into action.
*These are fictional names and not based on any real commenter. If you happen to know an actual Susan or Carl who wrote comments like this, it’s pure coincidence.
202 | December 2025
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