This season, The Store is going the extra mile to make the holidays special.
The Nashville-based grocery store is a nonprofit that provides free food to low-income individuals and families.
This November, they kicked off the donation drive for their second annual Toy Store, which will take place December 13 and 14.
The goal is to provide security, and a little bit of magic, to the more than 800 families they serve.
“Life gets hard but it is easier having help,” said Tisha, who’s been shopping at The Store with her 1-year-old since January.
She says not only does having food security make a difference year-round, but the Toy Store eases the financial burden of the holidays.
“The kids can go in and pick what they want, and I won’t look under my tree like, ‘Is this enough?’ You know, I’ll be satisfied,” Tisha explained.
“[It’s taking] the holidays, which could be a time of sadness and shame, and really making it a time of joy,” added Collen Mayer, CEO of The Store.
He says they’ve already gotten a generous donation through the First Responders Children’s Foundation, but they need much more help to reach their goal.