In Davidson County, Tennessee, food insecurity sits at an overall rate of 13.2%, according to Feeding America, with almost 17% of Nashville residents facing hunger.
And food insecurity rates among Black and Hispanic residents have risen 6% since COVID-19, according to reports by The Tennessean.
Among many of those working to lower those statistics? Country star Brad Paisley, and his wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley.
In 2020, the pair launched The Store, a nonprofit that offers free groceries to help those facing food insecurity in Middle Tennessee. Their goal: to build a “hunger-free community.”
With a free grocery store located on Belmont University’s campus already assisting an estimated 1,000 families each year, they have expanded their efforts and announced a new location.
The second free grocery store will be located at North Nashville’s TriStar Centennial Medical Center. It’s part of a $5 million expansion of the hospital, for which the couple has already donated $1 million.
“The Store transcends traditional food aid, offering comprehensive solutions to hunger and poverty,” the organization’s website explains. “Our innovative free grocery model, paired with a comprehensive support system, empowers our community to prosper.”
Essentially, individuals and families are referred to The Store by local agencies for a term of one year. There is no charge to these people, or to the agencies they work with, and they are welcome to select the food they want to eat whenever The Store is open.
By offering people in crisis the dignity of choice, the hope is that they feel empowered to seek other opportunities to thrive.
“This isn't a food pantry where we hand out boxes of other people's leftovers,” former Store CEO Collen Mayer told The Tennessean.
"Instead, by developing a space into a store — where there are shopping carts and volunteers serve as grocery store employees — we have created a dignified, respectful interaction that hopefully allows someone to feel like they're not in a crisis where they can't get ahead."
In addition to the grocery store model, the organization also offers beginner cooking classes, case management, and financial planning expertise, so shoppers can work toward self-sufficiency while still having their basic needs met. Last November, they also opened a pop-up toy store at the location, to help families celebrate the holidays.
“When we opened The Store in 2020, we were grateful to be able to help support our neighbors in need through a challenging year, including devastating tornadoes and a global pandemic,” the Paisleys said in a statement.
“It has always been our goal to expand this effort. We are thrilled to announce that The Store will open a second location with our friends at TriStar Centennial to further serve the larger community.”
The new location will continue offering food and household essentials, but will also offer clothing to hundreds of Nashvillians on a waiting list.
“The Store has a waiting list of over 200 households seeking food support,” the organization’s website shares. “This expansion will allow The Store to double its impact on addressing food insecurity and serve the many households currently waiting for services.”
As the project continues to develop, The Store has launched a fundraising campaign to help pay for the operating expenses and expansion of the second location.
Supporters can donate at a number of levels, including a $500 “Checkout Crew” tier that comes with a permanent inscription on the checkout lanes.
The newest location of The Store aims for a grand opening of summer 2025, as TriStar Centennial completes the exciting build.
“As caregivers, our concern for the well-being of our community extends beyond our hospital doors,” Tom Ozburn, president and CEO of TriStar Centennial Medical Center told The Tennessean.
“Through The Store, our care teams will have peace of mind knowing the community will have a resource close by that can help provide needed food and clothing.”
Header images courtesy of The Store
