Hassle-Free Recipes and All-Inclusive Community Advocacy
Life for Matthew Bounds is anything but simple these days.
Affectionately known throughout the Gulf Coast and on his social media platforms as Your Barefoot Neighbor, and despite the title of his second cookbook being “Keep It Simple, Y’all,” the coastal native is hustling more than ever these days while writing, creating content, and advocating for a heap of extraordinary causes and organizations.
“What I get to do every day is an absolute dream,” Bounds said. “I’m so fortunate and I don’t know how anyone would ever use their influence to do something different than inspire people. It seems like a no-brainer to me.”
With two cookbooks under his belt and a third due out early next year, Bounds has garnered 5.7 million followers in barefoot neighborhood communities across social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Bluesky, and Substack. He resonates with folks nationwide because of his Southern boy charm, ability to laugh at himself, and all-inclusive recipe videos. But it’s his dedication to nonprofit organizations like Elijah’s Closet in Biloxi and the Backpack Buddies program that sets him apart from other social media creators and cookbook authors.
His most recent community endeavor was a meal-in-a-bag food drive for Back Bay Mission in Biloxi. Bounds asked his followers to purchase shelf-sustainable ingredients for 200 chicken and dumpling meals from an online wish list, which was completely fulfilled in only 17 minutes. Bounds added additional items to the list for another 100 meals, which sold out in less than 10 minutes. Recipe cards were printed by St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Gulfport and the City of Gulfport donated space for a community assembly day. Families then picked up the bags at Back Bay Mission and had everything needed for a complete meal.
“I’ve discovered people respond to a project rather than something vague,” he said. “If I say we’re going to do 200 bags with these ingredients on this date, people mobilize.”
Some of his community support is a little quieter. His logo is on shirts, hoodies, and aprons that are for sale on his website, and each quarter’s proceeds go to different nonprofit organizations. “I don’t keep a penny of what I’m paid on merchandise,” he said. “It all goes toward a specific cause.”
And some of his community support is outspoken. Last month Bounds partnered with Bay St. Louis’ Mississippi Kween Caroline Davis, and they organized a “Love the Coast Tour.” The jaunt featured a couple of hundred people banning together to show love and support to restaurants that are led with kindness and welcome everyone to their table, including Rosita’s in Ocean Springs, Lafitte’s At Porter in Ocean Springs, Brick & Spoon in Biloxi, Trax Bar- N-Grill in Long Beach, Sugar Pop in Waveland, Mockingbird Café in Bay St. Louis, Radish in Long Beach, Rusty Pelican in Long Beach, and Chandeleur Island Brewing Company in Gulfport.
“It’s just a way to support restaurants that are supporting our communities,” he said adding he hopes to hold future restaurant tours but, in the meantime, Bounds and his husband CJ will continue to support restaurants and businesses that love and include the entirety of the Coast.
So just what does Bounds’ future hold once he puts his newest cookbook to bed? “I hope to write another one,” he said with a laugh. “It’s something I have come to enjoy. I have a notes app on my phone that’s dedicated to recipe ideas. Every time I come across something cool or have an idea, I have to jot it down in my app. I have a lot of fun testing, developing, and writing recipes. And I’d love to write a cookbook dedicated exclusively to the Gulf Coast and all the cuisine.”
