Nashville Expands Support for Food-Insecure Families with New Grocery Store
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In an exciting announcement for the Nashville community, Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley revealed plans for a second location of their nonprofit grocery store, The Store. This new site will be situated on the campus of TriStar Centennial Medical Center and is expected to open in the summer of 2025.
The Store’s Mission
The Store is dedicated to fighting food insecurity in Nashville by offering a grocery shopping experience that mimics a traditional store, but with no cost to the families who visit. Rather than relying solely on government programs, The Store operates through a referral-based system, allowing community partners to send individuals and families in need directly to them.
“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,” Brad and Kimberly shared. “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.”
New Location Features
This upcoming location at TriStar Centennial will significantly enhance The Store’s ability to serve families facing food insecurity. The new space will provide double the shopping area compared to their current site on Belmont University’s campus, which has already served hundreds of families.
In addition to fresh produce, meats, and dairy, the TriStar location will also feature emergency clothing items for customers. The Store’s CEO, Collen Mayer, highlighted the importance of this partnership by emphasizing the shared values between The Store and the medical center. “As we’ve gotten to know their staff and their leadership, there’s such a focus on dignity of the person,” Mayer said. “That is so values-aligned with what The Store is doing.”
The Importance of Community Partnerships
The partnership with TriStar Centennial is expected to bolster referral opportunities. Mayer said Centennial will be a significant source of referrals since many patients may be experiencing food insecurity along with their health issues. “As they’re seeing need in the community, they can refer people to us,” he explained, noting that these referrals would help connect families with essential services.
The current Belmont University location offers food and wrap-around services to over 700 families who shop every other month. “This space is going to have all of the free groceries as the first location, plus additional storage, and additional refrigerator space so we can do things like fresh, healthy milk and eggs,” Mayer noted.
Addressing Broader Health Issues
With this new venture, TriStar Centennial Medical Center’s president and CEO, Tom Ozburn, expressed that the partnership aligns well with the medical community’s mission. “If we’re able to solve some of the insecurities that could end up causing healthcare problems, then we could improve the overall health of the community,” Ozburn stated. He believes that The Store’s mission complements their healthcare objectives perfectly.
Community Support and Future Plans
To support the operational costs of the new location and other future expansions, The Store has launched a fundraising campaign. Community members wanting to contribute to this vital initiative can do so by visiting thestore.org to make a donation.
Conclusion
The upcoming store at TriStar Centennial Medical Center marks an important step forward in supporting the community’s most vulnerable families. By creating a space where individuals can shop for food with dignity and respect, The Store continues to make a positive impact in Nashville.
This initiative not only addresses food insecurity but also strives to improve overall health outcomes in the community by ensuring that families have access to nutritious food. With Brad and Kimberly’s leadership and the collaboration with TriStar Centennial, Nashville is taking significant strides to support those in need.
As plans move forward, many are looking forward to seeing the larger impact The Store will have on the community by providing essential resources and fostering partnerships aimed at uplifting families facing challenges.
