The Retailer: The place Meals, Dignity, and Neighborhood Come Collectively By Meghan Forte
Do you know practically half of Tennessee households face meals insecurity? In truth, 40% expertise low or very low meals safety, making this a urgent challenge within the state. That’s why my newest interview with Brittney Brown, Director of Mission Development at The Retailer, sheds gentle on a company making a tangible impression. The Retailer’s mission brings distinctive and important work to life, making an actual distinction locally.
Based on 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 12 months 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 examine in on the Belmont Ministry Middle subsequent door. We have now a restricted house, so solely about 15 consumers could be inside at a time. They take a cart and store similar to in an everyday grocery retailer.The variety of grocery gadgets they will take relies on their family dimension. This doesn’t embody recent produce or non-food necessities like toiletries, which we attempt to present generously. After purchasing, they take a look at at a register—although no cash is exchanged—and obtain a receipt to assist them funds for once they graduate from this system. Volunteers help in bagging and carrying groceries to their automobiles.”
Brittney additionally shared what units this system at The Retailer aside. The Retailer affords extra than simply groceries — it fosters a way of neighborhood. Brown explains, “We provide numerous cooking courses, together with senior cooking courses, grownup cooking workshops, and youngsters’ cooking courses. These packages educate members learn how to put together meals with the recent 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 be taught budgeting, saving, and investing, so we intention to offer them with these important expertise.”
She additionally famous , “My job is to increase The Retailer’s mission in any approach doable—whether or not via interviews like this, fundraising, planning occasions, or spreading consciousness locally. I give attention to participating individuals and alluring them to help The Retailer.”
Robust partnerships have been key to increasing The Retailer’s attain and impression throughout Center Tennessee. Brittney defined, “Belmont College stays a key associate. The Retailer is positioned on Belmont’s property, they usually proceed to help us in numerous methods.”
She additional emphasised the ability of collaboration: “As a substitute of working these packages ourselves, we associate with about 50 nonprofits throughout Nashville. By working with organizations specializing in totally different providers, we are able to maximize our impression. As an example, we serve shoppers from shelters and veteran packages whereas they supply further sources to our consumers.”
Volunteers are the spine of The Retailer, and Brittney emphasised their essential position in maintaining operations working. She expressed gratitude for volunteers, saying, “The Retailer depends closely on volunteers. We have now a small employees of 9, so it takes about 120 volunteers to run a single location. We’re opening a second location later this 12 months, which would require much more volunteers. At present, we don’t have digital alternatives, however sooner or later, we would introduce distant choices, resembling writing thank-you playing cards to donors.”
As Brown said, “Folks come to The Retailer both via 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 packages as a result of many households work onerous however nonetheless battle attributable to excessive residing prices.”
Brittney mentioned the significance of The Retailer’s advertising and marketing efforts, fundraising occasions, and the way these initiatives have additional superior its mission to make a constructive impression locally. She shared, “Over the previous 12 months, we’ve labored onerous to refine our advertising and marketing technique. One in all our handiest initiatives is our month-to-month Lunch & Be taught occasion. This provides individuals an opportunity to tour The Retailer, hear about our mission, and see the impression firsthand. It has considerably helped with fundraising and volunteer recruitment.”
Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley are additionally immediately concerned within the fundraising initiatives behind The Retailer’s success. Brittney said, “One in all 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 Bought Expertise, a expertise present the place professionals resembling medical doctors, 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 kids.”
As The Retailer prepares to open a second location, its impression will solely proceed to develop. Whether or not via volunteering, donations, or attending fundraising occasions, there are lots of methods to help this important mission.
How can we make a distinction in our communities? A technique is by serving to our neighbors with empathy—via volunteering, donating, and dedicating our time to significant causes like The Retailer.
On April 13, 2025, the “Groceries with Dignity, Comedy With out” fundraiser might 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 e-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 Way of life Journal. Gratitude additionally goes to the devoted employees 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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