Two Bible scriptures encourage us to service. Matthew 20:28 says, “…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” Luke 3:11 tells us “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” As Christians our ultimate goal is to be as much like Jesus as we can. If Jesus came to serve, shouldn’t we do the same? But what about serving those in the local community who have few clothes and need help being fed? Rev. Allan Smith introduced HBC to a variety of different organizations who serve local people that face issues requiring help. My husband, Paul, myself and several other members of HBC have supported two of these organizations – Boxes of Basics and Crossroads Connection.
The Boxes of Basics (boxesofbasics.org) mission is “… to provide children in need with a seasonal box of quality new and gently used clothing in their sizes. … volunteers hand-select and pack every Box of Basics and tailor it to an individual child.” Boxes of Basics works out of a small house in downtown Manassas. There, all clothing is organized by size, with boy’s clothing on the first floor, and girl’s clothing on the second floor. It is a very organized system! We have spent several sessions sorting clothing and others packing boxes. Boxes are packed with a variety of outfits, pants, shirts, dresses, jackets, shoes, socks pajamas and one “Sunday Best” outfit. Underwear, socks, and shoes are the only items required to be purchased new.
Donated clothing can be placed in a box at the Haymarket Police Department. We have found that
Walmart is a good place to buy items. Opportunities for sorting and packing are generally on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., but there are some sessions on Saturdays.
Crossroads Connection (crossroads-connection.org) “…is a Christian community service organization that provides a Weekend Food Program for food insecure children in the public schools in Western Prince William County.” The group currently serves 12 schools and over 300 children. It has volunteer opportunities in: pre-packing, packing, delivery, and bulk food delivery. Crossroads works out of the building next to Cookies and Cream in Haymarket (on the far side), very close to HBC. Most of the volunteer events are in the evenings. This is another well organized effort led by caring people.
Boxes of Basics and Crossroads Connection have an ongoing need for financial support and willing hands to serve the community as well as in your prayers. Both organizations report an increasing need for their services as time goes on. Please come join us in helping and praying for these efforts so that we are “…doers of the word, and not hearers only…” James 1:22.
These are some of the critical needs at Boxes of Basics:
Girls Size Girls Boys Size Boys
5T Tops 5T Underwear (new) 6 Tops and Jeans 7,8 Pants 7 Tops and Jeans 10 Jeans/Khakis, T-shirts 16 Pants and Tops 16 Pants 12 (Little Kids) Sneakers 6 (big kids) Sneakers 12 (little kids)
In His service,
Brenda Sellers
Outreach Committee