I love my wonderful neighborhood of Walnut Hills.? Smart, good, fun.? And now there’s a big campaign – with support from everyone and every group in the community – to keep Kroger’s here.
This is a situation where much of the community – the part with more mobility and money – has opted out for a long time.? Not entirely, but pretty much so.? I hadn’t been in there in years.? There have been rumors of Kroger’s closing right along side the stories about food deserts and how the inner city needs more fruit and veggies.
So this creative community has come up with a terrific strategy.? The Walnut Hills Area Council, the Walnut Hills Business Association, the Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation (the CDC here) have combined efforts, along with many churches, schools and other groups, for Buy $25.
Each 2nd Tuesday and Thursday, we are urged, cajoled and reminded to go to Kroger’s between 4 and 8 p m and spend $25.? We get two rewards -? 1) community volunteers are asking what else we’d like to have – and they’re adding many items – and 2) we get to hang out together, eat hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue (no veggies stuff yet on that grill), as friends and not just as members of a hard-working committee taking on a serious community task.
So it’s been great for all concerned!