Groceries for All
Country singer Brad Paisley and his wife, actor Kimberly Williams-Paisley, own a store that gives free groceries to people who need them.
Sarah Goodrich, operations manager at The Store, watches as volunteer coordinator Mariclaire Derrick takes a photo of meat that has been donated.
The Paisleys have big plans. Brad Paisley, a country music star, and Kimberly Williams-Paisley, an actor, say they want to open a new free grocery store in Nashville, Tennessee. This will be their second one.
The Paisleys opened their first store, which is called The Store, in Nashville in March 2020. The Store lets people who are hungry and unable to afford groceries get them for free. It’s set up like any grocery store, so shoppers can choose what they like. The Store sits on land that is owned by Belmont University, which Brad Paisley attended. It pays for everything with some government money and donations from the public.
The Store was an important part of the community from day one. Ten days before it opened, tornadoes struck Nashville, leaving many people without homes. The Store’s first challenge was to help those who had been affected by the storms. Then, the same month The Store opened, COVID-19 began to spread. People across the United States were told not to go anywhere unless it was necessary. The Store offered curbside pickup, which means people could pick up their groceries right outside the building. It also delivered groceries.
Volunteers help stock the shelves at The Store.
Since opening, The Store has expanded quite a bit. It now offers cooking classes. It has also hosted a veterinary clinic where people can bring their pets for care. In November 2023, The Store collected toys for the families it serves to bring some joy to kids during the holidays.
So far, The Store has served thousands of people. The Paisleys hope a second location will serve even more.
