NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Nashville organizations are struggling to keep up with the growing number of families that can’t afford to put food on their table, with a 40% increase in families going hungry this year alone.

The Store, a free grocery market serving Nashville families, has become a lifeline for those facing food insecurity. CEO Collen Mayer said 1,000 Nashville families rely on them for fresh food every month, but demand far exceeds capacity.

“Hunger is just a growing problem that we’ve got to address as a community,” Mayer said.

The organization has another 2,400 families on their waitlist, prompting plans for expansion. However, their second location at TriStar Centennial that was originally scheduled to open this summer is facing funding shortfalls.

Expansion promises to

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