The Store’s Inaugural Toy Store
(Nashville, Tennessee) – December 11, 2023 – The Store, a free-referral based grocery store co-founded by Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley in the Nashville area in partnership with Brad’s alma mater Belmont University, debuted its first Toy Store over the weekend. Due to the outpouring of generous donations, The Store’s Toy Store was able to provide toys for all the families they are currently serving.
The Nashville community, sponsors, and corporations helped The Store collect more than 1,000 toys and donated $20,000 to prep for the inaugural event, along with the help of the staff and volunteers and the generosity of the First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF) donation, who fulfilled the additional 1,000 toys needed. The partnership with FRCF came through Brad’s record label group, Universal Music Group Nashville, who has chosen FRCF as its charity of choice the past three holiday seasons.
The goal of The Store is to give families the dignity to choose their own food. The same is true with the Toy Store.
“The emotional aspect of being able to give your child something your child wanted versus just something to sort of get you through the holidays, that’s such a load off the minds of somebody who maybe didn’t think they were going to be able to do that,” Brad said to the Associated Press.
“People come on hard times and we want this to be a safe, welcoming place for everybody, whether you’re volunteering or whether you’re needing the services,” Kimberly shared. “It’s just a community and we’re all in it together.” Read the full AP story here.
About The Store
The Paisleys are co-founders of nonprofit organization The Store, a free-referral based grocery store, which aims to empower low-income individuals and families in the Nashville area. The Store operates with the mission of allowing people to shop for their basic needs in a way that protects dignity and fosters hope. There is no charge to those referred or to the people and agencies that send them. They may shop for food to supplement their income during times of crisis and as they work toward self-sufficiency. The Store currently works with nearly 25 referral agencies in Nashville to help families in securing food assistance while they access other support services, for a more comprehensive and wholistic approach for families in need. The Store purchases all its food, with the exception of locally grown produce and in-kind donations through licensed vendors. For more information, visit www.thestore.org.