Inspired by Jesus’ call to love our neighbor, Open Door partners with individuals to help prevent hunger and loneliness. We believe in the dignity of every person, and we seek to encourage and empower people with food security and opportunities to build relationships and create community.
In 1973, Church of the Advent parishioner Libby Higgins founded Open Door. She faithfully set aside time to sit in the church—with the door literally open—waiting for neighbors to come. After hearing the joys, sorrows, and hopes of those who came in, Libby and other members of Advent slowly developed programs to meet the expressed needs of our Walnut Hills neighborhood.
Today, food insecurity remains a major hurdle in Walnut Hills, and Open Door continues to host a choice food pantry and cafe, providing fresh produce, meat, dairy, canned goods, and pantry staples as well as hot coffee and warm conversation. Our response to this systemic injustice doesn't stop with the pantry.
Food Pantry And Cafe
Wednesdays from 9:30 AM To 12:00 PM
Good News Garden
The Good News Garden continues to serve the Walnut Hills community by donating its harvests to neighborhood food pantries and meal facilities that feed people experiencing food insecurity. Contact us to learn more about how you can get involved or follow the garden on Instagram or Facebook.
We are currently moving our garden to Church of the Advent’s property.
Follow our instagram to follow this transition!
Everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and you that have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
-Isaiah 55
Community Meals
Shared meals provide us all with a chance to not just nourish our bodies but to connect deeply with our neighbors. Our community shares a potluck meal together after every noon service on Sundays and at every community event. All are welcome!
Free Fridge
With our food pantry happening only once a week we know that access to food on other days can be a challenge. In the fall of 2022, we opened our Open Door Free Fridge, a 24/7/365 outdoor fridge and pantry stocked with donations from local organizations and volunteers. Art on the fridge was painted by Brandon Hawkins.
The enclosure was designed by Sarah of Schickel Design and built by TriVersity Construction’s Craft Force team. With help from the Free Fridge Project, we received financial support from Jewish Cincinnati Bicentennial, P&G, Duke Energy, and CET. We are also grateful to Gary Dangel of the Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation for his constant support and teamwork on our mission to end food insecurity in Walnut Hills.
Common Orchard
We have planted a small fruit orchard on the church grounds. Through a partnership with the Common Orchard Project whose mission is “to build community, provide educational opportunities, and increase food access and green space in neighborhoods that have experienced disinvestment.” Anyone is welcome to harvest food as they have need, and our Good News Garden Custodian has been trained to care for the variety of trees and bushes we are stewarding.
We know we can’t do this alone, so we’ve partnered with local, regional, and national organizations to join in the good work they have been doing alongside us.
