Volunteer at The Store to Help Hungry Families Receive Fresh Food
The Store runs on the power of volunteers—caring people like you who want to make a real difference. When you volunteer, you’re not just stocking shelves or bagging groceries. You’re ensuring families in Middle Tennessee have fresh, healthy food and the dignity of choice.
Be part of something bigger. Give your time, spread kindness, and see firsthand the joy your efforts bring. Sign up today and change lives!
Individual Volunteer Opportunities
Your journey as a force for change starts here. Sign up to volunteer and be part of our mission to feed bodies, hearts, and spirits with dignity and love. We can’t wait to welcome you to our volunteer community.
Group Volunteer Opportunities
We welcome churches, companies, and any groups to come together for a time of impactful service and meaningful connections at The Store. Engage in a hands-on experience that not only helps combat food insecurity in our community but also strengthens bonds through shared acts of love and dignity.
Reach out to volunteer@thestore.org to learn more.
Family Volunteer Opportunities
Families volunteering at The Store create lasting memories while making a real difference in the lives of our neighbors. It’s an enriching experience where parents and children alike learn the values of compassion, dignity, and community service, all within a supportive and kid-friendly environment.
The Inspiration Behind The Store
The concept for The Store was sparked by a family value—service. Noticing that their children needed a broader perspective on the world, Kim expressed to Brad her desire for them to begin volunteering. “We’ve got to get them into service and get them out of their bubble, and help them understand that there are hungry people in the world,” Kim shared.
This realization led the Paisleys to volunteer with their children at Unity Shoppe, a free supermarket in California, laying the foundation for what would become The Store in Nashville.
From Vision to Impact: The Store’s Journey to Fighting Food Insecurity
Seeing Hunger First-Hand
“It’s not until you open something like this that you really see it,” Brad reflected on the prevalence of hunger and food insecurity within the community. The Store became a place where the faces of those they aimed to serve became known, highlighting a need greater than anyone could have anticipated.
Opening Amidst Adversity
On March 12th, 2020, The Store opened its doors, only to face immediate and unprecedented challenges. Just ten days before its opening, Nashville was hit by a deadly tornado outbreak, leaving over 70,000 residents without power and marking it as the sixth costliest tornado in U.S. history. Amidst this chaos, The Store, though working at limited capacity, sprang into action to assist those affected.
Days after the tornado, the COVID-19 pandemic forced a nationwide shutdown, including Tennessee’s shelter-in-place order. This necessitated an urgent pivot from The Store’s initial model. Brad, Kim, and the team developed a pandemic program overnight, offering curbside pickup and home delivery services, particularly to the elderly, operating in this manner for the next 17 months.
A Model of Choice and Dignity
The Store distinguishes itself by offering a unique shopping experience that upholds the dignity of its customers. Unlike traditional food pantries, The Store invites shoppers to choose their foods from a variety of fresh, healthy options. This model ensures that families have access to meat, dairy, and fresh produce—often hard to find in traditional food assistance programs.
Evolving to Meet needs
The Store’s work is ever evolving to meet the needs of our community. Our expanded support services at The Store now include comprehensive wrap-around solutions such as counseling, budgeting, cooking classes and even literarcy, petcare, and back-to-school support. The Store is now serving more customers than ever before and is researching expansion opportunities into new communities in Middle Tennessee.
Join Our Story
The Store’s story is one of love, compassion, and community. Inspired by a simple yet profound vision from Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley, it has grown into a vital resource for Nashville’s residents facing food insecurity. As we look to the future, we invite you to join us—whether through volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word. Together, we can ensure that every neighbor has access to the healthy, nutritious food they deserve, fostering a community where dignity and choice are within everyone’s reach.
Uniting for a Hunger‐Free Community
Founded by Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley, The Store goes beyond food aid—it’s a lifeline for families facing hunger. Our free grocery model, combined with essential support services, empowers neighbors to build a brighter future.
Want to make a lasting impact? Join The Giving Table, our monthly giving community, and become the lifeline for a unique family waiting to shop at The Store. Together, we can rewrite the story of food insecurity—one meal, one family, one act of kindness at a time.
