AmeriCorps Spotlight: Promoting Food Security at Avondale Family Fun Day

Posted June 2, 2025 by Jada Rushing

The Avondale Family Fun Day hosted in partnership with Cincinnati Parks and the Avondale Development Corporation on May 24 was a huge success!

To boost community engagement, we introduced a fun “passport” activity. Attendees received a sheet listing our featured vendors and collected stamps, treats, and information at each table they visited. Once completed, the passport could be turned in for two food tickets—one for delicious ice cream from Saturday Morning Vibes and another for loaded nachos or fries from Chef Mike’s food truck.

This annual event aims to bring the Avondale community together through games, music, and activities that are fun and engaging for all ages. This year, we were so excited to expand the event by inviting local businesses and educational vendors to participate.

americorps volunteers promoting food security at avondale family fun day

These vendors and organizations include:

  • Last Mile

  • La Soupe

  • Freestore Mobile Foodbank

  • Community Action Agency 

  • Hamilton County Conservation District 

  • Civic Garden Center

  • The Avondale Public Library 

  • Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Horticulture Team 

  • Saturday Morning Vibes Cereal Bar
  • Chef Mike’s Burning with Styles Culinary LLC

  • And our band, Satin Smooth, who brought the vibes with a great performance!

We had prepaid for 100 meals at each vendor, and by around 2 p.m., all the passports were gone—an incredible sign of how excited and involved the community was. While we had anticipated 100–150 attendees, it looked like more than 200 people showed up! Even after the passport supply ran out, guests could still enjoy the event and grab food from the vendors at a discounted rate.

Beyond the passport meals, we offered additional free food options for those who didn’t participate. The Freestore Mobile Food Bank generously distributed a truckload of fresh produce. La Soupe donated lemon bars, cookies, and donuts, which we happily handed out. Last Mile also contributed by providing milk, juice, and protein bars.

The Cincinnati Zoo team brought even more joy, giving away over 100 plants—including tomato and pepper starters, annuals, seeds, and pots—plus free zoo tickets!

  • americorps volunteers promoting food security at avondale family fun day
  • americorps volunteers promoting food security at avondale family fun day
  • americorps volunteers promoting food security at avondale family fun day
  • americorps volunteers promoting food security at avondale family fun day
  • americorps volunteers promoting food security at avondale family fun day
  • americorps volunteers promoting food security at avondale family fun day
  • americorps volunteers promoting food security at avondale family fun day
  • americorps volunteers promoting food security at avondale family fun day
  • americorps volunteers promoting food security at avondale family fun day
  • americorps volunteers promoting food security at avondale family fun day
  • americorps volunteers promoting food security at avondale family fun day
  • americorps volunteers promoting food security at avondale family fun day
  • americorps volunteers promoting food security at avondale family fun day
  • americorps volunteers promoting food security at avondale family fun day

There were so many meaningful moments throughout the day. Several attendees shared that they had never felt comfortable bringing their children to the park before. Knowing we helped create a safe, welcoming space where families could connect, celebrate, and feel proud of their neighborhood meant the world. We were also grateful to have council members join us in support of the event, showing just how much this community matters. The day was filled with laughter, smiles, and a true sense of togetherness.

We want to give a heartfelt shoutout to all the amazing vendors who took part, to Kayla and Carlos from the Zoo’s Horticulture team for providing the beautiful plants, and to our fellow AmeriCorps members and the incredible Cincinnati Zoo staff who helped bring this vision to life. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Community, Sustainability,