The Store

What The Store does

The Store is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 81-4247568) founded in March 2020 by country music artist Brad Paisley and actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley in Nashville, Tennessee. It operates a free, choice-based grocery model rather than a traditional food pantry: eligible individuals and families (at or below 200% of the federal poverty line) are referred through a network of 40+ partner organizations and shop bi-weekly for fresh produce, healthy meats, dairy, and household essentials in a dignified, retail-like environment, typically for a one-year enrollment. The organization supplements food distribution with wrap-around services including case management, financial literacy, nutritional education, cooking classes, and connections to housing and employment support, plus signature seasonal programs (The Toy Store in December and The School Store in July).\n\nThe Store's revenue model is entirely donation-driven: individual giving (with tiered asks of $25-$500), the recurring The Giving Table monthly giving program, corporate sponsorships and matching programs, event sponsorships, planned/legacy giving, in-kind food and goods donations, and stock donations. The organization claims an operating leverage of $1 donated producing $4 in food and resources through bulk purchasing, nonprofit partnerships, and over 53,000 annual volunteer hours. Two physical locations are operated — the original 12 South flagship at 2009 12th Avenue South and a substantially larger Centennial location on the TriStar Centennial Medical Center campus opened January 2026 — together serving approximately 3,043 households and providing over 519,000 meals per year. Notable funding signals include a multi-million-dollar share of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's $26M wedding-eve charitable gift in July 2026 (Swift's second contribution in a year) and a $300,000+ benefit event in April 2026. The organization is actively recruiting its first Chief Operating Officer to support scaling.

Name

The Store

Legal name

The Store

Website

https://thestore.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Store is a Nashville-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley that operates free, choice-based grocery stores serving food-insecure families across Middle Tennessee through two locations, wrap-around support services, and a referral network of 40+ partner organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Assistance Services

NAICS

Supermarkets and Other Grocery Retailers (except Convenience Retailers) (44511)

SIC

Retail-Grocery Stores (5411)

akta.pro primary industry

Community-Owned / Nonprofit Grocery Stores (CRAHALAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Traditional Grocery Stores (Small-Format/Corner Grocers) (CRAHAAAC)

Keywords

• Food assistance services
• Nonprofit grocery store
• Hunger relief programs
• Community food distribution
• Dignity-based food aid

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The Store generates revenue primarily through individual monetary donations. The website promotes various donation tiers ($25 provides two weeks of fresh produce, $50 ensures milk/eggs/protein, $100 provides monthly groceries, $500 supports a family for six months).
2. Monthly Giving (The Giving Table): Monthly donor program where every $1 donated provides $4 in food and essential resources for families due to bulk purchasing, nonprofit partnerships, and volunteer support.
3. Corporate Giving & Sponsorships: Corporate partners contribute through direct financial contributions, corporate matching programs, event sponsorships, and item/food drives.
4. Planned Giving: Legacy giving program allowing donors to include The Store in their estate plans for long-term sustainability.
5. In-Kind Donations: Donations of nutritious food, household items, hygiene products, and other essentials from individuals and companies to keep shelves stocked.
6. Stock Donations: Donors can contribute appreciated securities for a tax-efficient giving option.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Store operates a free, choice-based grocery shopping program for families facing food insecurity in Middle Tennessee. Eligible customers (at 200% of the poverty line or below) shop bi-weekly for fresh produce, healthy meats, dairy, and pantry staples, plus household essentials, with dignity in a retail-store environment for up to one year. Supporting programs include The Giving Table monthly sponsorship, The Toy Store holiday gifts, The School Store back-to-school event, model replication training, and wrap-around services connecting customers to housing, counseling, and job training partners.

Product overview

The Store is a nonprofit organization operating a free grocery store model for families experiencing food insecurity in Middle Tennessee, not a technology product company. The organization offers a single core service: a choice-based grocery shopping program where eligible customers select their own fresh produce, healthy meats, and pantry staples with dignity. Supporting programs include The Giving Table monthly sponsorship program, The Toy Store and The School Store signature events, Core Conversations training sessions for replication, Lunch and Learn educational sessions, and a Young Professionals Board leadership program. No digital products, software platforms, or technology-based offerings are provided.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bi-Weekly Shopping Program A free grocery shopping program allowing eligible individuals and families (at 200% of the poverty line or below) to shop bi-weekly for fresh produce, healthy meats, dairy, and pantry staples in a dignified, choice-based environment for up to one year. Customers may also access household essentials such as diapers, hygiene products, and cleaning supplies, with wrap-around referrals to over 40 partner organizations for counseling, financial planning, housing, and job training support.
• The Giving Table A monthly recurring donation program where supporters contribute ongoing gifts that sponsor specific families, taking them off the waiting list and directly funding their year of bi-weekly grocery shopping. Each $1 donated delivers $4 in food and essential resources through bulk purchasing, nonprofit partnerships, and volunteer support.
• The Toy Store

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,043 households served per year with over 519,000 meals provided
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, supporting and core.

• Turnip TruckminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 March 2026Launched a roundup program benefiting The Store, allowing customers to round up purchases to support the nonprofit.
• Mental Health CooperativesupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2026Teamed up with Brad Paisley's The Store to offer free food and essentials alongside mental health services.
• Safe Haven Family SheltercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSafe Haven Family Shelter supports families overcoming homelessness. As families secure housing after a crisis, The Store ensures their pantries are filled with fresh, nutritious groceries for a year, aiding their transition into a stable home environment.
• Project ReturncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject Return supports individuals returning from incarceration. The Store fills their pantries with essential foods, allowing them to focus on employment skills and job training without the stress of securing their next meal.
• Operation Stand Down TennesseecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFor veterans accessing housing assistance and counseling, The Store offers bi-weekly shopping opportunities for a year, addressing their comprehensive needs and supporting their journey toward stability.
• American Red CrosscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn the wake of disasters such as house fires, The Store provides immediate access to essential food supplies, helping those affected rebuild their lives with one less worry.
• YWCA ReNewcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYWCA ReNew lifts up victims of domestic violence, supporting them as they move into new homes. Working alongside the YWCA, The Store ensures their kitchen is full of fresh food when they move in.
• Belmont UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough its partners like Belmont University and the Family Wellbeing Program, The Store provides access to case management, counseling, and financial planning to tackle the root causes of food insecurity.
• Centennial Women's and Children's HospitalsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReferral partner providing connections to families experiencing food insecurity who could benefit from The Store's services.
• Catholic CharitiessupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReferral partner connecting clients in need of food assistance to The Store's services.
• Second Harvest Mid TennesseesupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a local food bank resource for those seeking help or looking to donate/volunteer in Middle Tennessee.
• Firefly Program (Vanderbilt Center for Women's Health)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReferral partner connecting families to The Store's food assistance services.
• Nashville Launch PadsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReferral partner for individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
• Dismas HousesupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReferral partner supporting formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrating into the community.
• Nashville Anti Human Trafficking CoalitionsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReferral partner supporting victims of human trafficking.
• Second Chance Sober LivingsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReferral partner supporting individuals in recovery.
• Thistle FarmssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReferral partner supporting women survivors of trafficking and addiction.
• LimeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLaunched Hero program in Nashville to help The Store fight food insecurity, allowing users to round up rides to donate to The Store.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Feeding America: National hunger-relief organization operating a network of 200+ food banks. Serves the same end-customers as The Store but via traditional food bank distribution rather than a choice-based grocery retail model.

Direct peers

• Unity Shoppe: Santa Barbara-based free supermarket providing choice-based grocery assistance to families in need. Unity Shoppe is the explicit model inspiration for The Store and operates the same client-choice model for low-income families, making it the closest direct peer.

Regional players

• Mid-South Food Bank: Regional food bank serving Tennessee and neighboring states with traditional food distribution versus The Store's choice-based retail format. Competes for corporate food donors and in-kind grocery partnerships.
• Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee: Regional food bank serving the same Middle Tennessee geography as The Store, distributing food via a traditional pantry model rather than a choice-based store. Operates as a wholesale food distribution backbone while The Store operates a retail-style experience.
• Catholic Charities of Tennessee: Faith-based social services organization operating food-assistance programs and a referral partner of The Store. Serves similar food-insecure populations through traditional pantry and case-management models.
• Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee: Regional nonprofit providing workforce development and wraparound services; operates food and essentials programs for low-income households in the same Nashville market with overlapping customer segments.
• One Generation Away: Nashville-based food-distribution nonprofit with a board representative on The Store's board. Operates mobile food distribution and pantry programs in the same Middle Tennessee market, overlapping on donor and volunteer pools.

Others

• Lime (Hero Program): Micromobility company that partnered with The Store to launch the Hero roundup program in Nashville. Included as a commercial partner and ecosystem example rather than a direct food-assistance peer.

Emerging players

• Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana: Regional food bank that has piloted choice-based pantry and client-choice retail models alongside traditional distribution. Comparable to The Store in piloting dignity-focused grocery experiences in a regional footprint.
• PantryNet / Choice Pantry Network: Network of food banks and pantries piloting client-choice and marketplace-style food distribution models. Represents the broader emerging shift toward dignity-based food retail that The Store operationalizes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TheStoreNashville
• Instagraminstagram.com/thestorethestore
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thestorethestore
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TheStoreNashville

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Store