When you work in local government, you learn pretty quickly that helping people isn’t just part of the job. It is the job. Every day, someone calls, emails, or stops by with a question, a concern, or a problem they hope you can help solve. Sometimes it’s something small, like putting someone in touch with the right person. Other times, it’s something big, like wondering what happens now that the federal government is shut down. How is that going to affect us here in our hometowns?

Right now, that shutdown is front and center for a lot of folks. While most of what happens in Washington feels far away, we all feel the frustration and uncertainty eventually. People worry about paychecks, crucial programs, and their ability to meet basic needs. And in moments like this, we’re reminded how much we depend on one another to step up and fill the gaps.

Helping others doesn’t always look dramatic. It might mean checking on someone who’s worried about missing work or quietly helping a friend with meals for their family. It might mean buying local to support small businesses feeling the tariff heat. Or it might just mean listening when someone needs to vent.

Moments like these remind us how important it is to lead with empathy and compassion. The people who stop by the courthouse or text me don’t expect me to have all the answers, but they do expect me to care. And I do. Even when we can’t fix a problem right away, we can still show up with kindness and honesty. We can, we should, and we do.

Our community has always been good at taking care of one another. The Messenger recently featured a story called Everyone Deserves to Eat that highlighted local efforts to make sure no one goes hungry. From food pantries and church programs to volunteers who quietly deliver groceries to neighbors, it shows what Webster County does best — take care of our own. And we will — one food pantry at a time, one donation at a time, one community Thanksgiving meal at a time.

As we navigate this shutdown and whatever challenge comes next, it’s essential to remember that we’re all in this together. A rising tide lifts all boats. The federal government might be at a grinding halt, but our compassion doesn’t have to be. We can still choose to look out for each other, lend a hand, and keep things moving forward in our own corners of the world.

Helping others doesn’t solve everything, but it reminds us what really matters — that when we have the chance to help, we do, without question, thanks, or expecting anything in return. And that’s something no shutdown can take away.

Niki Conrad is the chairwoman of the Webster County Board of Supervisors.