Our Lunch & Learns Are Filling Up Fast — So We’re Coming to You
So our Lunch and Learn’s at The Store have gotten a little out of hand.
When we started hosting Lunch and Learns about a year and a half ago, we weren’t sure if anyone would come.
Who knew if people would brave 12 South traffic, struggle with parking, and carve out time in the middle of a busy workday to learn about a nonprofit?
Fast forward 14 Lunch and Learns later — and every single one has been full.
Every. Single. One.
As I reflect on this it has made me wonder: why?
I’d like to think it’s because of the presenter (me), but I know better.
Maybe some people are secretly hoping Brad Paisley will make a surprise appearance (he doesn’t — though we do have a great video featuring him telling about the found of The Store).
It certainly doesn’t hurt that bartaco generously provides an amazing lunch each month.
But honestly, it’s something deeper.We actually ask people why they come at the start of each session. And the answers are as simple as they are inspiring.
Many are individuals who feel called to give back but aren’t sure where to start.
Some are leaders hoping to connect their companies with a mission-driven organization.
Last month, we had several faith communities eager to explore partnerships.
Others are newcomers to Nashville, looking to build community and find meaningful ways to get involved.
Whatever the exact reason, the heart is almost always the same:
People long for connection. They long for purpose. And they find a piece of both at The Store.
The Lunch and Learn has become an easy, one-hour springboard into something much bigger— A deeper connection with our neighbors. An invitation to serve with dignity. And often, a way to receive just as much as you give.Which brings us back to the "problem"—Our Lunch and Learns are filling up so quickly, we sometimes have to close registration a month or more in advance!
So, we’re doing something new:We’re bringing The Store to you.If you're part of a company, church, or community group of 15 or more, we’re piloting a new program:
Meet The Store — private, on-site sessions where we’ll come to you, share our story, and help you get connected.We’re offering 4 of these sessions this year as part of our pilot.
If you’re interested, please reach out or visit our click here for more details
And if you still want to join a traditional Lunch and Learn at our place, good news — We have a few spots left for the next couple of months — but they’re going fast Hope to see you at The Store—or maybe at your store—soon.
What started as a simple idea has become one of our most in-demand events. With 14 fully booked Lunch and Learns behind us, it’s clear: people are craving connection, purpose, and ways to give back. That’s why we’re launching Meet The Store—a new opportunity for companies, churches, and community groups to host us on-site and discover how to get involved.
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