Tampa nonprofit on brink of closure gets new home with help of donors

OLDSMAR, Fla. (WFLA) — How New Life Warehouse got to this point is still somewhat of a mystery to Stephanie Haile.

“It is really crazy,” the founder said. “It kind of feels like a dream in a way.”

The way the last couple of weeks have gone for the Tampa nonprofit have been making life seem more dream than reality.

“It’s just exactly what we needed,” Haile gushed. “More than what we even hoped for.”

Just a few months ago, the leader of New Life Warehouse found out her original space in Town N County had been sold and she had to leave by May 3. That’s when 8 On Your Side got involved .

“You were our first news person that has ever done a story on us,” Haile said.

Haile and her husband Jeremy toured a couple of spaces, including one they really liked in Oldsmar.

“We were a little discouraged, because we were asked, ‘Well, how are you going to pay for this?'” Haile recalled. “And we really didn’t know how we were going to pay for it.”

Soon they would find out how. After 8 On Your Side did multiple reports on New Life Warehouse, the Hailes got a phone call — a donor would cover $10,000 per month towards renting a new warehouse. About a week later, a second donor stepped forward to pay the rest of the rent per month, about $2,000.

“Now, we have a space, rent-free,” Haile said. “And we are able to serve our community for a little bit longer, so we’re excited.”

New Life moved into the new space on April 13 and started building shelving, storage and renovating the warehouse to fit their needs.

“This is exactly what they needed,” said volunteer John Cunningham. “They needed the extra room, so you have accessibility to the shelving, and all the furnishings and the donations and futuristically, I think so much more is going to come in.”

New Life plans to start accepting donations on May 1 and have a grand opening on May 11.

“We’re ready to get it going,” Haile said. “We hope it happens soon, and we’re just really excited. Thank you for helping us.”

The nonprofit needs volunteers to help them move in. If you’d like to donate your time, you can do so here . It also has a Top Golf fundraiser on May 5 — you can sign up here .

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