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The store's immobilization campaign is underway and its planned target is $ 1.2 million. $ 500,000 is needed to launch the project.
Nashville Tennessean
Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams Paisley, presented here prior to the 2017 CMA Awards in Nashville, have partnered with Belmont University to open The Store, a pantry that functions as a free grocery store.(Photo: George Walker IV / tennesssean.com)
Country singer Brad Paisley and his wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, teamed up with Belmont University to open The Store, a modern version of a pantry designed as a free grocery store .
"It's a grocery store worthy of people in trouble," said Paisley, chairman of The Store's board of directors. "We are all facing an unforeseen catastrophe far from the bottom. It's good to think of a place where, when it happens to a person, they can use it to get back on their feet. "
Located at 2005 12th Ave. S., located adjacent to the Belmont University Departmental Center, The Store will work with Middle Tennessee's Second Harvest Food Bank and other organizations to provide fresh and non-perishable groceries to individuals. and families in need for a year. Clients will be referred by government and non-profit organizations. The association's initial goal is to serve 3,000 people a year.
"This is Billy Hill's song," There are too many months at the end of the money, "said Pete Fisher, Co-Chair of the Store Board and CEO of the Academy of Country Music . "Often, when people are going through difficult times, they do not need to spend a lifetime in a life. They just need a bridge and the store offers these families a decent way to cross this bridge and reach their self-sufficiency. "
Thanksgiving Inspiration
The Paisleys were inspired by the idea of introducing the concept to Nashville after taking their young sons to volunteer at the Unity Shoppe, organized the same way in Santa Barbara, California. Paisley explained that it was near Thanksgiving and that his wife thought their children were spoiled. They took the boys to volunteer at the Unity Shoppe to help them understand that other people were much less fortunate. But the day has proven to be a learning experience for the whole family.
The store, a modern food bank designed to look like a free grocery store, is run by Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams Paisley in association with Belmont University. The nonprofit will be located at 2005 12th Ave. South to Nashville with groundbreaking work planned for 2019. (Photo: submitted)
"It was inspiring because these people have dignity," said Paisley, a Belmont graduate. "It's not a scene from Oliver Twist. 'These people can sit there and feel very very normal in the eyes of their children. I remember … thinking, "Why is this not everywhere?" Basically, we had the idea that it could be very effective in Nashville. "
Unity Shoppe and The Store will not be identical, but will be based on the same principles. Like The Unity Shoppe, The Store is not meant to be a permanent fixture, but rather a "temporary dressing on the road to self-sufficiency," Williams-Paisley said.
"So many people make good choices in their lives," explained the actress. "It's not like they've made any major mistakes, they just needed an extra boost and we wanted to be a resource for those people."
Not just the grocery store
The extra help will come in many forms. In addition to the grocery store, The Store also plans to set up a toy department during the holidays. Throughout the year, they will accept donations of new unopened toys. At Christmas, families can shop among these items for the children to receive the toys on their wish list.
The store will also provide on-the-job training, Williams-Paisley said. And, because of the partnership between The Store and Belmont University, which will be piloting clinics of the Ministry of Health and Legal Aid, all charitable groups will work together to provide a wide range of services to the city's vulnerable population .
"At Belmont, we believe the greatest privilege anyone can ever have is to be able to help and serve another person," said Belmont University President Bob Fisher. "Brad and Kim live this mission in an extraordinary way in every aspect of their lives, especially through the creation of The Store. We are proud to collaborate with them on this initiative and I am delighted to see our current students use their talents and skills to meet the needs of the store's customers. "
"Hunger is like you and me"
Nashville lawyer Megan Zarling said Nashville's continued population growth was a 56% increase in the number of people looking for help in food banks in the area. The store, so named to standardize the families' shopping experience, will help relieve some of the pressure exerted by other food departments.
"The majority of people are completely lost in the appearance of poverty and hunger," said Zarling, chairman of The Store's board of directors. "Most people think of hunger as walking in the street or in a homeless shelter. It's just not true, especially on this day. Hunger resembles us, and a paycheck, for not being able to go to the grocery store. Studies show that the last thing you pay for is food. "
Nashville-based architecture firm ESa (Earl Swensson Associates) donated their services for the design of the store. Pending the financing, the opening of the works is scheduled for 2019.
The store's "Brick-to-brick campaign", which aims to raise funds for storefront construction and to provide financing for operational food needs, is underway. Approximately $ 500,000 is needed before work begins, with construction estimated at $ 1.2 million. The Paisleys will make an initial donation to launch the fundraising campaign. Donations are accepted at www.thestore.org.
Contact Cindy Watts at 615-664-2227, [email protected] or Twitter @CindyNWatts.
About the store
The Store, a modern food bank designed to resemble a free grocery store, is led by Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley in association with Belmont University. The nonprofit will be located at 2005 12th Ave. S. in Nashville with groundbreaking work planned for 2019. To donate to The Store's fundraising campaign, visit www.thestore.org.
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