Statements

Mission

The Store's mission is to nourish communities and cultivate hope by providing nutritious food choices and access to supported services in a dignified and loving environment. We envision a future where food insecurity is eradicated and access to nutritious food is realized through a model of love, dignity and community.

Background

The Store is inspired by Unity Shoppe, located in Santa Barbara, California. Unity Shoppe has been helping families in the community for more than 100 years. Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley first visited Unity Shoppe with their sons. "We took our boys to Unity Shoppe to teach them about serving others and giving back to people in need," says Paisley. "And we came away surprised by what the organization had taught us. Most people don't want handouts. They want dignity and respect. Most people want to become self-sufficient." They were so inspired by the way Unity Shoppe empowers people, including volunteers, that they wanted to expand on that model here in Nashville. The Store is its own unique spin on a free grocery store that offers a healthy food shopping experience.

Impact

The Store alleviates food and nutrition insecurity for individuals and families in Middle Tennessee. In 2024, The Store is doubling the number of households served, expanding from 350 to 700 households (2,100 individuals). By providing a dignified, choice-based shopping experience, we empower our customers to select fresh, nutritious food that best meets their needs. Our innovative model and strong community partnerships foster long-term stability and well-being, creating a loving and supportive community where everyone can thrive.

Needs

The Store seeks community support in the following key areas:
Increased Funding for Fresh, Nutritious Food: To serve the additional households, The Store needs $350,000 to supply fresh produce, healthy meats, and dairy products, ensuring all customers have access to nutritious food that meets their needs.
Extending Operational Days: To accommodate the increased number of customers, The Store plans to extend its operational days from three to four days a week. This will require $50,000 for additional staffing and operational costs.
Volunteer Recruitment and Management: With the expected rise in customers, more volunteers are needed to support daily operations, manage inventory, and assist customers. Implementing a robust volunteer recruitment and management program will cost approximately $20,000.
Strengthening Community Referral Partnerships: Collaborating with local nonprofits to ensure a seamless referral process for families in need is crucial. Enhancing these partnerships will involve coordination efforts estimated at $30,000 annually.
Program Enhancement and Capacity Building: To effectively manage the increased scale of operations and ensure the highest quality quality of service, The Store seeks $50,000 for program enhancement and capacity building.

CEO Statement

Dear Friends and Supporters,

As we embark on our mission at The Store, our commitment to addressing food insecurity in Middle Tennessee remains unwavering. Founded by Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley, The Store was created to ensure that no neighbor goes without the healthy, fresh food they deserve.

Today, we face a pivotal moment in our journey. With thousands of families, children, seniors, and veterans struggling to access nutritious food, our mission has never been more critical. At The Store, we go beyond providing groceries; we offer dignity, choice, and hope through our innovative free grocery store model.

Since our inception, we have seen the transformative power of community support. Our dedicated volunteers, partners, and donors have enabled us to serve countless individuals, ensuring they have access to fresh produce, healthy meats, and other essential foods. However, as the demand grows, so does our need for your continued support.

In the coming years, we aim to expand our reach, doubling the number of households we serve. This ambitious goal will require not only our collective efforts but also the generosity of our community. Whether through financial contributions, volunteering your time, or participating in our programs, your support is vital.

Our holistic approach includes not just providing food but also offering wrap-around services such as counseling, nutrition education, and financial literacy programs. By addressing the root causes of food insecurity, we strive to create long-term solutions and lasting change in our community.

As we continue this journey, I invite you to join us in making a tangible difference. Every dollar donated, every hour volunteered, and every voice advocating for our cause helps us move closer to a future where no one has to worry about their next meal. To learn more about how you can get involved, please visit thestore.org.

With gratitude,

Collen Mayer
CEO, The Store

Board Chair Statement

"The majority of people are completely misguided about what poverty and hunger look like," said Megan Zarling, chair of The Store's board of trustees. "Most people look at hunger like you're walking the streets or you're walking into a homeless shelter. That's simply not true, especially this day in time. Hunger looks like you and I and one paycheck away from not being able to go to the grocery store. Studies show the last thing you pay for is food."

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Food, Agriculture & Nutrition  - Food Banks, Food Pantries
Secondary Category:	Food, Agriculture & Nutrition  - Food Programs
Tertiary Category:	Food, Agriculture & Nutrition  - Nutrition

Areas Served

We serve the entire middle tn area and have shoppers come from all from the middle tn counties

TN - Davidson