Inspired by Jesus’ call to love our neighbor, the Open Door pantry, the Open Door free fridge, and our Good News gardens support 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 the Open Door pantry continues to host a neighborhood food pantry providing fresh produce, meat, dairy, canned goods, and pantry staples along with hot coffee and warm conversation.
Open Door Food Pantry And Cafe
Wednesdays from 9:30 AM To 12:00 PM
In the fall of 2022, we opened the 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.
Open Door Free Fridge is open 24 hours a day/7 days a week/365 days a year
Open Door Free Fridge
The Good News Garden on the campus of Church of the Advent (another project of our Open Door Ministries) serves Walnut Hills by offering its harvests to those in our surrounding community experiencing food insecurity. We have also planted a small fruit orchard 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!
The Good News Garden
Community Meals
Shared meals provide us all with a chance to not only nourish our bodies but 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!
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
We know we can’t do this alone, so we’ve also partnered with local, regional, and national organizations.
