The Retailer: The place Meals, Dignity, and Group Come Collectively By Meghan Forte
Do you know practically half of Tennessee households face meals insecurity? Actually, 40% expertise low or very low meals safety, making this a urgent concern within the state. That’s why my newest interview with Brittney Brown, Director of Mission Development at The Retailer, sheds gentle on a corporation making a tangible affect. The Retailer’s mission brings distinctive and very important work to life, making an actual distinction locally.
In line with The Retailer’s web site, its mission is “to fight meals insecurity in Center Tennessee with empathy, dignity, and respect.” The Retailer stands out for its distinctive, choice-based mannequin, which prioritizes dignity, alternative, and entry to wholesome meals. The web site additionally states: “Our mannequin relies on dignity, alternative, and the idea that everybody deserves entry to wholesome meals and the help they should thrive.”
As Brittney Brown shared, The Retailer’s origins hint again to Brad and Kim Paisley’s volunteer work at Unity Shoppe, a choice-based meals financial institution in Santa Barbara, California. Impressed by their expertise, they introduced the mannequin to Nashville, formally launching The Retailer in March 2020, simply earlier than the pandemic and the devastating twister in
Nashville. Initially, it operated as a supply mannequin, however a few yr and a half later, it transitioned into an in-person, choice-based grocery retailer.
As for the mannequin of the shop she notes, “On purchasing days, prospects verify in on the Belmont Ministry Heart subsequent door. Now we have a restricted area, so solely about 15 consumers might be inside at a time. They take a cart and store identical to in an everyday grocery retailer.The variety of grocery objects they will take relies on their family measurement. This doesn’t embody contemporary produce or non-food necessities like toiletries, which we attempt to present generously. After purchasing, they try at a register—although no cash is exchanged—and obtain a receipt to assist them price range for after they graduate from this system. Volunteers help in bagging and carrying groceries to their vehicles.”
Brittney additionally shared what units this system at The Retailer aside. The Retailer affords extra than simply groceries — it fosters a way of group. Brown explains, “We provide numerous cooking courses, together with senior cooking courses, grownup cooking workshops, and youngsters’ cooking courses. These applications train individuals learn how to put together meals with the contemporary produce and groceries we offer. We additionally maintain monetary literacy programs to empower individuals with cash administration expertise. Many people by no means had the chance to study budgeting, saving, and investing, so we intention to supply them with these important expertise.”
She additionally famous , “My job is to increase The Retailer’s mission in any means doable—whether or not by means of interviews like this, fundraising, planning occasions, or spreading consciousness locally. I deal with partaking individuals and alluring them to help The Retailer.”
Sturdy partnerships have been key to increasing The Retailer’s attain and affect throughout Center Tennessee. Brittney defined, “Belmont College stays a key accomplice. The Retailer is positioned on Belmont’s property, and so they proceed to help us in numerous methods.”
She additional emphasised the ability of collaboration: “As a substitute of operating these applications ourselves, we accomplice with about 50 nonprofits throughout Nashville. By working with organizations focusing on completely different providers, we will maximize our affect. As an example, we serve purchasers from shelters and veteran applications whereas they supply extra assets to our consumers.”
Volunteers are the spine of The Retailer, and Brittney emphasised their essential position in holding operations operating. She expressed gratitude for volunteers, saying, “The Retailer depends closely on volunteers. Now we have a small workers of 9, so it takes about 120 volunteers to run a single location. We’re opening a second location later this yr, which would require much more volunteers. At present, we don’t have digital alternatives, however sooner or later, we’d introduce distant choices, equivalent to writing thank-you playing cards to donors.”
As Brown acknowledged, “Folks come to The Retailer both by means of a nonprofit partnership or by signing up on our waitlist. Eligible consumers should be at or under 200% of the federal poverty stage. We deliberately set this threshold greater than some applications as a result of many households work arduous however nonetheless wrestle as a consequence of excessive dwelling prices.”
Brittney mentioned the significance of The Retailer’s advertising efforts, fundraising occasions, and the way these initiatives have additional superior its mission to make a optimistic affect locally. She shared, “Over the previous yr, we’ve labored arduous to refine our advertising technique. Certainly one of our simplest initiatives is our month-to-month Lunch & Study occasion. This provides individuals an opportunity to tour The Retailer, hear about our mission, and see the affect firsthand. It has considerably helped with fundraising and volunteer recruitment.”
Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley are additionally straight concerned within the fundraising initiatives behind The Retailer’s success. Brittney acknowledged, “Certainly one of our signature occasions is Groceries of Dignity – Comedy With out”, a comedy present hosted by Brad Paisley that includes well-known comedians.”
She continued, “Different signature occasions embody Nashville’s Acquired Expertise, a expertise present the place professionals equivalent to docs, judges, and enterprise leaders showcase their hidden skills, and The Toy Retailer, a December occasion that gives households with a vacation purchasing expertise the place they will select Christmas presents for his or her youngsters.”
As The Retailer prepares to open a second location, its affect will solely proceed to develop. Whether or not by means of volunteering, donations, or attending fundraising occasions, there are numerous methods to help this very important mission.
How can we make a distinction in our communities? A technique is by serving to our neighbors with empathy—by means of volunteering, donating, and dedicating our time to significant causes like The Retailer.
On April 13, 2025, the “Groceries with Dignity, Comedy With out” fundraiser can be hosted by Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley. The occasion will happen at Zanies in Nashville, Tennessee, at 6 PM. Tickets can be found on-line.
The Retailer is open on Wednesday from 2:00 pm to six:00 pm, Thursday from 1:00 pm to five:00 pm, Friday from 9:00 am to five:00 pm, and Saturday from 9:00 am to three:00 pm.
Contact The Retailer at PO Field 128287, Nashville, TN 37212, name 615-460-8331, or electronic mail: [email protected].
A heartfelt thanks to Ms. Brittany Brown at The Retailer for taking the time to take part on this interview with Social Life-style Journal. Gratitude additionally goes to the devoted workers and volunteers at The Retailer for his or her unwavering dedication to addressing meals insecurity with dignity. Lastly, honest appreciation to Mr. Brad and Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Belmont College for his or her astonishingly great work in making The Retailer a actuality.
Skilled Web site
Handle of The Retailer & Location Map : 2009 twelfth Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37204
Contact The Retailer: PO Field 128287, Nashville, TN 37212
Telephone Quantity: 615-460-8331
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