Today we’d like to introduce you to MICHAEL HOPEWELL.
Hi MICHAEL, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
What began on the streets of Tampa as a simple act of kindness—offering food, clothing, and prayer to those battling homelessness, addiction, and hardship—grew into a calling. My wife and I felt led to serve the forgotten, the broken, and the hurting. We didn’t have much, but we had love, faith, and a deep desire to make a difference.
In 2002, we moved to Clermont, Florida, and planted the seeds of a new beginning. We founded our church with a mission to restore hope and dignity to those society often overlooks. Out of that mission, the Well of Hope Food Bank & Thrift Store was born—a place where families can find nourishment, clothing, and encouragement.
Today, Well of Hope continues to serve the community with open arms. Whether it’s a meal, a warm coat, or a word of prayer, we believe every person deserves to be seen, valued, and loved.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Every step of this journey has come with its own set of trials. From the streets of Tampa to the heart of Clermont, we’ve faced the hard reality of what it takes to serve others. Finding donors, securing food, recruiting volunteers, and keeping the lights on—none of it has come easy. There were days we didn’t know how we’d feed the families who came through our doors. Nights we prayed for provision to keep our facilities open. Moments when hope felt distant.
But through it all, we’ve held fast to our calling. Because behind every challenge is a family waiting for help. A child needing a meal. A soul longing for grace. And that’s why we press on.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I come from the road of hard knocks. Raised by a single mother, I battled the chains of drug addiction and alcoholism for years. Life didn’t hand me easy answers—it handed me pain, struggle, and a choice: stay down or rise up.
By God’s grace, I chose to rise.
In 2004, my wife Christine and I founded New Water Church in Clermont, Florida—a place where the hurting could find hope, and the lost could be found. Two years later, we launched the Well of Hope Food Bank & Thrift Store, under the umbrella of Word Keepers of Clermont, Inc., to meet the physical and spiritual needs of our community.
At Well of Hope Food Bank, we serve more than 1,500 families—over 10,000 people—every month. Our mission is clear: feed the hungry and remind every soul that their story isn’t over. Because if God could redeem mine, He can redeem anyone’s.
We don’t just hand out food—we offer a hand up. We believe in lifting people, not just meeting needs but transforming lives. Our vision is bold: to build a Zero Hunger Community, where every family has access to nutritious food and the freedom to use their hard-earned dollars for other essentials—like keeping the lights on, filling the gas tank, or buying school supplies.
This year alone, we’ve distributed nearly $3 million worth of retail food to families in need. That’s not just groceries—it’s relief. It’s breathing room. It’s hope.
We serve those who are working hard, doing their best, and just need a hand up. Because when we support each other, we build a stronger, more compassionate community.
In a world full of noise, I choose to listen.
I’m known not just as the Pastor of New Water Church, but as someone who takes the time to hear the stories, struggles, and needs of those around me. Whether it’s a prayer request, a cry for help, or a quiet moment of brokenness—I’m here. And if I can assist, I will.
Because ministry isn’t just about preaching from the pulpit. It’s about walking with people through their valleys, lifting them when they fall, and reminding them that they matter.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Before the pulpit, before the food bank, before the outreach—I was an athlete. I loved sports and had the privilege of playing in high school, where our team fought hard and won the state championship.
One of my best childhood memories didn’t happen in childhood—it happened when I was 62 years old five years ago.. That’s when I found my father.
For years, I carried a quiet ache. A longing. A missing piece. And though life moved forward—through victories, ministry, and transformation—the child inside me still waited. Still wondered. Still hoped.
When I finally met my dad, the boy I once was and the man I had become stood together . And the child inside was made whole.
It wasn’t just a reunion—it was redemption.
Pricing:
- operational support
- rent asistance
- food
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wellofhope-thriftstore.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wellofhopefoodbank
