News From The Store

Across Nashville and beyond, nonprofits are facing unprecedented strain: steep SNAP cuts, overwhelmed food banks, and more families in need than ever before. At The Store, we hear it every day—the calls, the waiting, the heartbreak. But even now, hope is showing up.

In just one year, food insecurity in our region has surged—450,000 Tennesseans are now struggling to eat. And with recent cuts to SNAP benefits, the crisis is only deepening. At The Store, we’re feeling the impact. Our shelves are stretched. Our waitlist just passed 2,000 households. And yet—we’re not giving up.

At a recent “Meet The Store” session with our friends at CMA, someone asked: “What’s the one thing you need most right now?” The answer? Come volunteer. Just once. See the work in action. Because volunteering isn’t just helpful—it’s transformative. It’s how so many of our supporters found their way in: one shift, one connection, one moment that changed everything. At The Store, we’re building more than food security—we’re building community. And it starts with showing up.

That’s what one mom told us on graduation night—standing tall in her cap and gown after completing her training as a Registered Behavior Technician. What began as a quest to provide for her child became something much bigger: a journey of self-worth, confidence, and possibility. This is the power of partnership. Through our collaboration with Belmont University, TCAT Nashville, and The Family Wellbeing Program, customers at The Store are gaining more than just groceries—they’re gaining careers, community, and a renewed sense of purpose.

This year, The Store was honored to be named the top volunteer program in Nashville—a recognition we don’t take lightly. Volunteers aren’t just part of the mission. They are the mission. We’ve rounded up 8 lessons that have shaped our approach—principles we return to again and again. Whether you lead volunteers or are one, we hope you’ll find something useful in what we’ve learned (and are still learning).

Hunger is at a decade high—and the weight of that reality shows up in our waiting list: 1,883 households long. At The Store, we’re doing everything we can to meet the moment, and planning bold expansion to meet the need. But for now, the calls keep coming—and we carry them with hope.

When customers talk about The Store, there’s one thing they mention more than anything else—and it’s not the free food. It’s how they feel when they walk through our doors. Seen. Cared for. Loved. In this reflection from our team, discover what it really means to shop—and serve—with dignity, and why love is always at the core of what we do.

As The Store grows, so does our team—and with that growth comes the responsibility of protecting what matters most: our culture. In a recent all-staff meeting, something powerful happened that reminded us the mission lives not just in what we do, but how we do it—together. Read on to see how a simple moment turned into a powerful reflection on values, team spirit, and the heartbeat of our work.