Help Us Fill the Gaps This May
“Next time, just call me. I’ll come in and work on my day off.” — one of our big-hearted, totally committed, vacation-resistant staff members.
April was an incredible month for volunteers at The Store.
We felt the rhythm of full shifts, neighbors greeted with ease, and that quiet joy that comes when every role is filled and every cart rolls smoothly.
And here we are in May and we are short volunteers- really short. What happened?
No big scandal. No urgent alarm. Just life happening. School’s winding down. Kids are finishing exams. Graduation parties, banquets, field days, beach trips—beautiful, celebratory milestones filling our community’s calendar.
But while the celebrations ramp up, our volunteer numbers dip. And at The Store, we’re already feeling it.
We’re seeing open shifts we’re struggling to fill.
Longer checkout lines. Aisles that stall.At our busiest, customers might wait an hour or more for groceries.Hunger doesn’t take a summer break. And neither does dignity.
Typically, a shift at The Store runs with 2–3 staff and 15–20 volunteers. That’s how we make this model work.It’s how we stretch donor dollars.
It’s how we keep things running efficiently while offering a dignified, choice-filled shopping experience.
We’re trying to learn: How do we smooth out the seasonal swings in volunteerism?Some months, beloved volunteers feel frustrated because there aren’t open shifts for weeks.
And then, there are months like now—when we wonder how we’ll get it all covered. Our staff work longer hours covering the difference… and yes some have been known to come in on their day off to lend a hand. Our amazing volunteer director, Mari Clare Derrick, is doing everything possible—emailing, texting, visiting churches, gyms, even pickleball courts—anywhere community gathers. I’m hosting Lunch and Learns, speaking to companies, and yes—posting on LinkedIn!
All in hopes of growing this incredible community of people who make The Store possible.
It’s a beautiful thing—that we rely so much on volunteers.And, every once in a while, it’s also a challenge.
But we trust our community.
We always have.
If you’re able to give a few hours this month—we’d be so grateful.
If you volunteered in April and are thinking about signing up again—now’s the time.
And if you lead a team looking for a meaningful way to give back—we’d love to host you.
The good news? Once summer settles in, our volunteer numbers usually bounce back. People return from travel. Routines of service find their rhythm again.
Until then, we’ll keep showing up.
And we hope you will too.
Sign up to volunteer this month.
After an incredible April filled with full shifts and joyful service, May has brought a sharp dip in volunteer coverage at The Store—just as the need remains high. As summer calendars fill with celebrations, we’re feeling the crunch. We need your help to keep our shelves stocked, carts moving, and neighbors served with dignity. Read more about the challenge—and how you can make a difference.
More from The Store
When Benefits Disappear, Families Go Hungry: Why It’s “Unconscionable”
With hunger at a 10-year high and food costs climbing, families in Nashville are facing impossible choices as critical benefits are slashed. A front-page story in The Tennessean highlighted The Store’s perspective on what this means for our neighbors—like the mom who feeds children at a daycare but can’t afford food for her own, or the server who delivers meals all night and comes home to an empty table. At The Store, we believe it’s unconscionable to take food from families already struggling to survive. This blog unpacks the reality of the “benefits cliff,” the growing crisis of hunger, and why proximity and shared values must guide how we respond.
Read More.avif)
Who Gets Groceries? The Hardest Question We Face at The Store
Every week, The Store wrestles with an impossible question: With so many waiting for food, how do you decide who gets to come? Our CEO shares how we make these tough choices—prioritizing referrals from trusted partner agencies, managing a waitlist of over 2,000 families, and expanding to new locations so no one has to wait for a basic human need. This post sheds light on the heartbreaking realities of hunger, the importance of working together, and our vision for a community where no family has to wonder if food will be there tomorrow.
Read More