Brad Paisley And His Wife Serve Local Community By Opening Free Grocery Store

Oct 09, 2018

Individuals experienced with charitable pursuits know that giving to those in need can sometimes be a tricky proposition. It would seem that giving to those with the most need will always be of benefit to them. However, when altruism is poorly planned, it can cause dependency.

Matters can become worse for individuals in need when their confidence and dignity is undermined. These are the qualities they will need to better their position in life.
Country music singer Brad Paisley has discovered, along with wife Kimberly, the perfect way to aid the less fortunate without chipping away at their self-esteem. The couple will soon open a free grocery store in their home state of Tennessee.

The grocery store will be known simply as "The store."

The couple received the inspiration for the store during a recent trip to Santa Barbara, California. The couple's children decided they wanted to spend a part of their short vacation volunteering at the Unity Shoppe. This store operates on a similar theme as the grocery store the Paisley's plan in Tennesee.

The Unity Shoppe philosophy is that when the basic needs of an individual are met, there is less need for a dependency on welfare. A message on the organization's website also explains that when individuals get help with some of their basic needs they are then more able to pay for rent and utilities.

Paisley says that he was touched by what he saw at the Unity Shoppe. He says that parents were able to receive the help they needed while being allowed to feel normal. Paisley said he immediately began to wonder why such an effective way of helping others is not available everywhere. 

The Paisley's would soon partner with a Christian liberal arts school, Belmont University, to bring a similar store to Nashville.

The Store is basically a food bank without the traditional appearance. Individuals using The Store will be allowed to browse the aisles for the products they need like at any other grocery store. The store will also provide an on the job training program as an added benefit. The partnership with Belmont University makes additional programs possible. The non-denominational Christian University also has plans to establish legal aid programs and clinics to facilitate the healthcare of underprivileged individuals.

Kimberly Paisley, an actress by trade, says that the programs that will be offered due to her family's partnership with Belmont are not intended to be a permanent part in the lives of beneficiaries. Kimberly explains that for people already making great life choices, the programs will be the added boost they need to finally get ahead. Kimberly goes on to say that it is not like unfortunate individuals have necessarily made major mistakes in their lives. Her belief is that people just need a little help. She says her family is interested in being a helpful resource to these many great people.

Check out the video as well:

What do you think about the efforts of the Paisleys? Send this story to others you know and discuss the couple's efforts. Maybe you and your circle of friends will decide to make a similar effort or contribute to one that already exists?