child with vegetable

The Store operates as a year-round free grocery store allowing people to shop for their basic needs. There is no charge to those referred or to the people and agencies that send them. They may shop for food to supplement their income during times of crisis and as they work toward self-sufficiency.

A philosophy of community empowerment means we aim to solve hunger issues in our community by developing programs to meet the needs of the community, including partnering with other organizations on issues of food security. We believe in cooperation and collaboration between organizations to better serve the community. Over time, we will work with our partner organizations to help provide cooking and nutrition classes.

HOW WE DO IT

The Store is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit retail store that will offer a variety of foods that will help individuals strive for healthier lives through food choices, as well as nutritional education and cooking classes. The Store does not, and shall not, discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or military status, in any of its activities or operations.

OUR STORY

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.

man with orange 2

OUR OFFERINGS

We are pleased to work with Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and others in providing a variety of products both perishable and nonperishable. We operate as a free grocery store because of the donations we receive from individuals and corporations. All the food in The Store follows guidelines set for us by dieticians from Second Harvest Food Bank.

In doing their own shopping, our guests not only have a sense of dignity, but also a higher satisfaction with the food they are able to choose. We offer donated food, as well as deeply discounted, purchased food from Second Harvest Food Bank and other sources. We are also thrilled to offer a private line of specialty body care products in collaboration with Thistle Farms in Nashville, TN.

We Need Your Help.

Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, we are serving the Nashville community!

On an annual basis, our greatest financial need is to support the operations of The Store which includes operating the facilities, staffing, and of course, food and products! Please consider donating today. Every gift (no matter the size) helps feed those in need!

Donate Today

Special Thanks to our Founder's Circle

partner belmont
partner amerigroup
partner esa
partner give
partner kroger
partner nationwide
partner sysco
partner tristar childrens