NASHVILLE, Tenn., (August 28, 2024) – On August 28, The Store announced its plans to open a second location on the campus of TriStar Centennial Medical Center, part of HCA Healthcare. The two organizations are working together to help Nashvillians with food insecurity.
Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley are co-founders of The Store, a nonprofit organization that offers a free, referral-based grocery store to empower Nashville families and individuals in need. The current location is on Belmont University’s campus and offers fresh, nutritious food and wrap-around services to over 1,000 individuals, children and families each year.
“When we opened The Store in 2020, we were grateful to be able to help support our neighbors in need through a challenging year, including devastating tornadoes and a global pandemic,” said Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley. “It has always been our goal to expand this effort. We are thrilled to announce that The Store will open a second location with our friends at TriStar Centennial to further serve the larger community.”
“As caregivers, our concern for the well-being of our community extends beyond our hospital doors,” said Tom Ozburn, president and CEO of TriStar Centennial Medical Center. “Through The Store, our care teams will have peace of mind knowing the community will have a resource close by that can help provide needed food and clothing.”
The Store’s unique model, which emphasizes dignity and choice, allows customers to select from a variety of fresh produce, healthy meats, dairy products and pantry staples while catering to different dietary needs. A small, dedicated staff, supported by hundreds of volunteers, ensures efficient service and personal attention to each shopper. Volunteers assist with shopping and bagging groceries, engage children with activities and help connect families to additional resources. This system of wrap-around services includes counseling, nutrition education and financial planning, making The Store a beacon of hope and care in our community.
The Store is launching its Doubling Our Difference Expansion Campaign to help fund operating expenses for the second location and future expansion opportunities. Supporters can donate at all financial levels, including participating in the “Checkout Crew,” in which a $500 donation earns a permanent inscription on the checkout lanes. To learn more about The Store or donate, please visit thestore.org.
HCA Healthcare, which is comprised of 186 hospitals, including TriStar Centennial, and The HCA Healthcare Foundation, have donated $125,000 to The Store since 2019. Colleagues at HCA Healthcare and TriStar Health have also consistently engaged in volunteering with The Store. The new storefront will be located on the ground level of TriStar Centennial’s B Garage, located at 311 23rd Ave North.
About The Store
Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley, 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 holistic 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. The Store regularly serves over 700 households weekly.
About TriStar Centennial Medical Center
TriStar Centennial Medical Center is a 741-bed comprehensive facility offering medical and surgical programs including behavioral health, 24-hour emergency, heart and vascular, imaging, neurosciences, oncology, orthopedics, pediatrics, rehabilitation, and women’s services. An affiliate of TriStar Health, TriStar Centennial Medical Center’s 43-acre campus is home to TriStar Centennial Heart & Vascular Center, TriStar Centennial Women’s Hospital, TriStar Centennial Children’s Hospital, Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at TriStar Centennial, TriStar Centennial Advanced Joint Replacement Institute and TriStar Centennial Parthenon Pavilion, one of the largest and most comprehensive private psychiatric facilities in Middle Tennessee. Around the clock care is also available at TriStar Ashland City Medical Center, a critical care access hospital in nearby Cheatham County. Opened in 2013, TriStar Spring Hill Emergency Room provides 24-hour emergency care for nearby Spring Hill and surrounding communities.
