The Store To Debut Toy Store This Holiday Season

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The Store, a free referral-based grocery store in the Nashville area co-founded by Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley, will debut their Toy Store this holiday season for the 400 children of the families they currently serve.

The donation drive launches today (Nov. 1) and contributions can be made through The Store’s Amazon Wish List and financial donations. Also, corporations may contribute financially or hold their own toy drive for donations. The four-week donation campaign will run through Dec. 1, and families will shop The Store to choose toys for their children ages 0-17 on Dec. 8-9.

In 2020, the Paisley’s partnered with Belmont University to spearhead The Store, allowing people to shop with dignity for their basic needs. Individuals and families can be referred by nonprofit and government agencies for a term of one year. 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 wraparound services at the Belmont Ministry Center next to The Store provide additional family support such as counseling, music therapy, financial literacy, medicine management and cooking classes. The Store believes in cooperation and collaboration between organizations to better serve the population.

“We’ve always wanted to see a toy store pop-up around the holidays that has the same framework and model as our grocery store, so that our customers can also shop for gifts for their families with dignity and choice,” shares the Paisleys. “We are really excited to see it come together this year, and credit our wonderful staff, amazing volunteers and energetic new CEO Collen Mayer for making it happen!”

“The Toy Store is going to be one of the most memorable and heart-warming events in our community this holiday season,” says Mayer. “Just as The Store allows families in poverty to shop for food with dignity 12 months out of the year, the Toy Store will enable these same mothers and fathers to find the perfect gifts for their [children]. For anyone who is looking to support a family during the holiday season, the Toy Store is a perfect option to spread some holiday cheer and kindness and to lift up families in need in a dignified way. To get involved, you can sign up to volunteer at the Toy Store, purchase gifts from our Amazon registry and share information about this event with your friends, families and workplaces.”

For more information, click here.

Liza Anderson
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