CINCINNATI — Every Wednesday, the sanctuary at the Church of the Advent in Cincinnati’s Walnut Hills neighborhood fills up with food and friendly conversation as its leaders keep a nearly 50-year-old tradition alive: Open Door Ministry.
Now it’s grown into a pantry, a café and social services center, but at its core, its organizers said it’s a way to listen and connect with the neighborhood’s needs — something that’s only grown more important and more difficult since the pandemic began.
Every Wednesday Church of the Advent opens its doors to serve its neighbors
The tradition started in 1973 when one parishioner decided to set aside a specific time once a week for the church to open its doors, wait for neighbors to come and listen to their concerns. From there, the church began to put its resources together, reach out to local nonprofits to find ways to address these concerns.
Now every Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to noon, the few dozen people who come to Open Door have access to a food pantry, help applying to government programs and other potential services depending on what partners are able to stop by.
“We try to listen to our clients and see what kind of food they’re looking for, what kind of food they like to eat what they’re familiar with,” Matt Latchaw, the minister for community engagement at Church of the Advent said. “Ever since the Kroger closed, food insecurity has been one of the biggest concerns.”
A year into his role, Latchaw is tasked with keeping the tradition going despite a growing need to work from a distance.
Latchaw stocks the pantry at Open Door
“In the past, the pantry was open more often, but with the pandemic, we’ve had to kind of retreat back a little bit and stay safe,” he said.
The café is a little less bustling, fewer people are stopping by and those that do aren’t staying as long and must wear masks, but Latchaw said the core of the program remains alive. Neighbors can build connections, find support and form relationships with the church staff.
Penny North said that’s what keeps her coming back every week.
“They know me,” she said. “I come here all the time.”
North lives across the street from the church and she said she started coming five years ago to get some from the pantry.
“It helps me because things at the store are so expensive,” she said.
Now she’s a well-known face at Open Door, happy to greet her neighbors and get to know the Church of the Advent staff.
North has been coming to Open Door for five years
“I think I’ve been getting on their nerves for five years,” she said.
Especially through the pandemic, as the neighborhood faces dark and difficult times, North said she’s happy to know she can always find company just feet from her door.
“It’s like my family,” she said.
Latchaw said that’s why Open Door plans to keep its doors open for as long as it can in whatever way it can.
“Serving our neighbors getting to know their needs, is no different it’s not separate from our worship service,” he said. “It’s just a big need in our neighborhood.”
