Haymarket mom Sarah Tyndall’s act of kindness in 2017– helping a woman who needed clothes for her kids – changed the trajectory of her life as well.
What began as a clothing collection drive in her Haymarket basement inspired her to launch Boxes of Basics. The nonprofit helps local children facing clothing instability due to homelessness, domestic violence, medical issues or family displacement.
Tyndall believes very child deserves to have their basic clothing needs met. “It’s the little engine that could. It’s grown, and it’s far surpassed me,” Tyndall said.
Doing things differently
Lack of clothing and shoes are some of the reasons kids miss school, and clothing insecurity can be one of many stressors when a family experiences financial hardship or homelessness.
"The solution is right here,” Tyndall said. “We can fix it. It’s putting the puzzle pieces together.”
Tyndall wanted children to receive clothes in good or new condition. Each box contains a season’s wardrobe of quality clothing, based on the child’s age, size and gender. IBoxes of Basics today
Since opening Boxes of Basics has scaled up its efforts, reaching more than 4,000 kids since its inception. Boxes of Basics now has about 400 volunteers, more than 70 monthly donors called “Gems,” local grants, part-time staff and a warehouse to pack and store clothes.
“People love that it’s hyperlocal. You know you're helping a kid right here in our community,” said Tyndall.
In 2023, Boxes of Basics packed 1,450 boxes. By June of this year, the nonprofit had already packed 900 boxes.
“It could be any of us. You could have a house fire, and then my kids would need clothes,” Ashley Rodman volunteer coordinator for Boxes of Basics said. “It’s about having unconditional respect for others because you don’t know what people are going through. The work here is unconditional.”
Expanding space
In September 2023, Boxes of Basics moved out of a small house in Old Town Manassas and into a 2,600-square-foot warehouse on Mike Garcia Drive near Bristow. However, Tyndall said that Boxes of Basics has already reached capacity. “If we had more space, we would be able to collect more sizes of clothes.”
To meet the demand, Boxes of Basics is considering several locations. Other jurisdictions are interested in replicating its model.
Remembering the mission
Although the operation has grown, Tyndall is reminded of the reason behind the effort: children in precarious situations.
“I was at the warehouse, and one of our referring partners looked upset. She told me the box was for a 10-year-old girl. Her mom is in jail…and she has a brother who is 19. They are trying to get the 19-year-old a job and custody of his little sister, who is having suicidal thoughts.”
“Doing this work has opened my eyes,” Tyndall added. “We provide more than a box of clothes. We’re giving kids a boost in confidence, self-esteem and mental health.”
Preparing for back-to-school
With the new school year starting, Boxes of Basics expects a big uptick in demand and will need help with clothing drives and fulfilling its Amazon Wish List Walmart registry.
“Hosting your own donation drive is hugely helpful to us,” Tyndall said. The organization can provide donation bins to schools or businesses.
Teens supporting teens
A teen board grew out of service clubs at Patriot and Battlefield high schools, and the students serve as community ambassadors and host clothing drives.
And Tyndall has begun a pilot program for middle and high schoolers called Bundles of Basics. These bundles include new shoes, socks, underwear and a winter coat.
Boxes of Basics also accept adult and junior-size clothes and shoes to fit their older recipients.
Closing
Today when Tyndall looks at how far Boxes of Basics has come, she can’t believe it all started in her basement.
“When I started Boxes of Basics, I had no idea how quickly it would grow, but it just shows that we’re meeting a real need in the community. Clothing insecurity is an underrecognized and underserved issue,” Tyndall said. “I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this small but mighty organization.”
Jennifer Balios is a Haymarket-based freelance writer and communications consultant.
Read the full story in Haymarket Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine.
Subscribe to Haymarket Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine.
Courtesy of Haymarket Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine and Rappahannock Media. All rights reserved.
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