"We Just Want To Feed People"
"We just want to feed people."
Over the past few months, I've shared some of the supply chain challenges we've been navigating at The Store.
To be honest, I don't fully understand all the logistics and market forces affecting the food supply chain right now. What I do understand is the outcome.
Items that have always been staples on our shelves suddenly aren't there.
Black beans.
Pinto beans.
Green beans.
Our shoppers notice.
They're almost never upset. But they know we work hard to keep essential items available, and when those staples disappear, they ask about them.
And honestly, that's hard on our operations team. They take a great deal of pride in keeping our shelves stocked and making sure our neighbors can count on us.
I was sharing some of these challenges with my friend, and now fellow board member, Chris Whitney at One Generation Away.
His response was immediate.
"We can help with that."
Within a few days, we were on a call with Chris and members of the OneGenAway operations team, including Scott Lucas and Chris Henson, talking through possibilities.
Could they share warehouse space?
Absolutely.
Could they help us leverage their purchasing power?
No problem.
Could they help deliver product to our locations?
Definitely.
What struck me most about that conversation wasn't what was said.
It was what wasn't.
There was no discussion about who would get credit if their products ended up on our shelves.
No debate over whose logo should appear where.
No concern about whether this partnership would benefit one organization more than the other.
Whenever those kinds of questions surfaced, the response was simple:"We just want to feed people."
That mindset seems deeply woven into who OneGenAway is as an organization.
And it's one of the things I love most about the nonprofit community in Nashville.The need is simply too great for turf wars.
Too great for keeping score.
Too great for worrying about who gets the recognition.
One of our core values at The Store is collaboration, and we try to live that out every day. Our nonprofit partners refer neighbors to us, and together we help get good food into their homes. No complicated formulas. No unnecessary barriers. Just neighbors helping neighbors.
Our relationship with OneGenAway is just one of hundreds of examples of the trust, generosity, and partnership that exists across this sector.
I'm grateful to lead alongside people and organizations who remind us that the mission matters more than the spotlight.
And when we keep the focus there, a lot becomes possible.
When supply chain challenges left staple items missing from The Store's shelves, One Generation Away responded with a simple offer: "We can help." Collen reflects on how this partnership exemplifies the best of Nashville's nonprofit community—where collaboration, not competition, ensures more neighbors have access to healthy food.
More from The Store
Retirement Found A New Purpose
For many active retirees, The Store has become more than a place to volunteer—it's a place to rediscover purpose, build community, and use a lifetime of gifts to serve others. Collen reflects on the volunteers who have become the backbone of The Store and why their impact extends far beyond stocking shelves.
Read More
Every Child Deserves a Strong Start
The School Store is about more than backpacks and school supplies—it's about helping children begin the school year with confidence and reminding families they aren't facing the season alone. Collen reflects on why this annual event is one of his favorite days of the year and how a caring community makes it possible for more than 800 children to start school with dignity, choice, and hope.
Read More