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By Gavin Boyle
Brad Paisley and his wife Kimberly Williams-Paisley explained why they opened their nonprofit, The Store, which provides free grocery and other essentials to those struggling in their community.
“Initially, we set out to provide this free grocery store, where people can shop and make choices instead of just getting a handout,” Williams-Paisley told Parade. “Then we got all these wraparound services, like music therapy and financial literacy and medicine management, additional support systems.”
The couple was inspired to create this community resource after visiting the Unity Shoppe, a similar nonprofit in Santa Barbara, California.
Related: Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley Share How They Make Their Marriage Thrive
“We took our boys to the Unity Shoppe to teach them about serving others and giving back to people in need,” Paisley explained. “And we came away surprised by what the organization had taught us. Most people don’t want handouts; they want dignity and respect. Most people want to become self-sufficient.”
After more than a decade of planning, the couple opened The Store in 2020 but were forced to close down only a week later as the pandemic swept the nation. However, instead of allowing disappointment to get the best of them, they transformed their business into a mobile shop that could still serve their community during the shutdown. They ended up delivering over one million meals in their first year before eventually being able to settle back down in the space they had originally planned to work in.
Because the mission of the business is to provide its visitors with dignity and respect, they offer services that extend beyond food. During special times of the year, The Store serves additional needs such as school supplies during the back-to-school time and pet food for people with pets. Last Christmas, they also provided families with presents so parents would be able to give their children a gift.
“The emotional aspect of being able to give your child something your child wanted versus just something to sort of get you through the holidays, that’s such a load off the minds of somebody who maybe didn’t think they were going to be able to do that,” Paisley said.
“It’s a very much dignified process, and it gives you the freedom of choice,” added shopper Brodie, who came to the store with her granddaughter, La’Delegant Hartsfield. “So we have choice in what we present to our children. And we have choice in what we feed and put on the table, which of course empowers you.”
While the Paisleys continue to both enjoy impressive careers in the entertainment industry, even more impressive is the way they have used their success to give back to their community and serve those who have fallen on hard times.
Read Next: Brad Paisley Launches Free Toy Store for Families in Need This Christmas
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