About Us
Who Is Back to Basics?
Back to Basics is an All-Volunteer, 501(c)3 Non-Profit.
For 40 years, Back to Basics has understood that the simple gesture of providing a child with
new clean clothing aids in leveling out the
social judgments that students often feel
when their clothing does not fit properly, is badly worn, or does not conform to the latest fashion trends.
Providing a new uniform at the beginning of the
school year and new sneakers, socks, and
underwear in which to return to school with from the holiday break, instills confidence in a
child to attend school.
This confidence enables a willingness to learn.
By providing a child with this sense of dignity and pride, our two programs aid the teachers and schools in reducing peer bullying, classroom disruptions and truancy by 70-80% as reported by the school’s administration.
The Problem
According to the Palm Beach County School District
data on enrolled students, there were
approximately 131,900 elementary and middle school students enrolled in 2023.
Of this enrollment, 71,000 students were eligible to receive free or reduced lunches. This means that
54% of elementary and middle school children are living at or below the poverty level.
Back to Basics serves the neediest of these children by providing assistance to schools where
80% or more of the student population are eligible to receive a free or reduced lunch.
Who We Serve
Each year Back to Basics serves over 20,000 children attending elementary and middle schools
throughout Palm Beach County.
We also assist organizations that support
handicapped and special needs individuals.