Note In The Pocket

Our Mission Note in the Pocket's mission is to provide quality clothing to homeless and impoverished children and families with dignity and love. Note in the Pocket believes that it is unacceptable that children are limited in their educational and social development because they do not have appropriate clothes for school. Our Vision Note in the Pocket is improving educational equity by addressing clothing insecurity. The organization works to ensure every child is ready to rise — clothed in confidence, and seen as valuable, capable of learning and success, and worthy of love. The Problem We Address Clothing insecurity is an immense problem that lacks adequate attention. In 2023, 2 out of 5 children in the United States face clothing insecurity. This issue impacts a child socially, emotionally, physically, and academically. Currently, there is no federal or statewide funding, and few organizations address this issue on a large scale. Note in the Pocket is meeting a growing, critical need. Our Story In 2005, a recent college graduate began her dream job — teaching kindergarten to an underserved population in an impoverished school. She quickly realized that many children did not have seasonally appropriate clothing. Together with her mother, she purchased coats and sent one home with each child before temperatures dropped. A note was inserted into the pocket of each item, conveying a powerful message: you are loved. What started as a one-family ministry in a single classroom in a single school has now spread to the entire community. In August 2011, Dallas Bonavita joined the effort and envisioned a model for continuous but controlled incoming donations and outgoing clothing packages. Note in the Pocket became an official nonprofit in August 2013 and has experienced tremendous growth in every subsequent year. In 2020, Note in the Pocket launched its Emergency Clothing Effort in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and introduced Pocket Pop Up clothing events. In 2023, the organization officially became a Triangle region-wide serving agency, opening a new program location in Durham in January 2024. In the fall of 2024, Note in the Pocket launched a clothing distribution model that can be replicated in other counties in North Carolina and, one day, nationally. Our Approach Note in the Pocket partners with school social workers and human service agencies in the Triangle to distribute clothing to children and families experiencing homelessness and economic hardship. When a referral partner identifies a child experiencing clothing insecurity, they send a request for the sizes and type of clothing needed. Each Mini-Wardrobe includes two weeks' worth of outfits in specific sizes — new socks and underwear, shoes, a variety of tops and bottoms to mix, match, and layer, and any outerwear appropriate to the season. The organization's model strives to remove some of the stigma that goes along with needing help. Families do not have to go to a location to pick through the leftovers of donated clothing. A wardrobe is lovingly selected for that individual by a volunteer and delivered directly to the referring agency. Our Impact Clothed 11,000+ children and adults in 2025 Delivered 251,970 clothing items in 2025 Clothed over 75,000+ individuals since 2013 Delivered over 1,000,000 items of clothing since 2013 Hosted 57 Pocket Pop Up events since 2020 Partnered with 9,935 volunteers in 2025, providing 41,820 hours of service Goal: clothe 12,700 children and families in 2026

• Megan Steinke-ChaseExecutive Director
• Meg (Sink) CarpenterDevelopment Director
• Kati MullanFinance & HR Director
• Tammy WestOperations Director
• Carole TroneVolunteer Engagement Director
• Kristina IsaacCommunity Engagement Manager
• Mellanie ScottProgram Manager, Wake
• Victoria RegulskiLead Program Coordinator, Durham
• Stephanie SchabenVolunteer Engagement Coordinator
• Zy HinesProgram Coordinator, Wake
• Mica LloydProgram Coordinator, Durham
• Haley NelmsDevelopment Associate
• Kait PaschallProgram Coordinator, Durham
• Soupy RoblesProgram Coordinator, Durham
• Ann ShieldsProgram Coordinator, Wake
• Shawnice SmithProgram Coordinator, Wake
• Hope WoodworthProgram Coordinator, Wake
• Susan ElnickiProgram Director
• Meg CarpenterDevelopment Director
• Jodi OlsenProgram Coordinator, Wake

• Community BoardA network of community ambassadors across Wake and Durham Counties who support Note in the Pocket through…
• Teen BoardA leadership development program for local high school students who volunteer their time to support Note in…
• Socks & Undie 5K RundieAn annual fundraising event that brings together volunteers, donors…
• Mini-Wardrobe Referral ProgramNote in the Pocket partners with school social workers and human service agencies to provide referred…
• Durham ExpansionLaunched in 2022 and formalized with a dedicated program location in January 2024…
• Pocket Pop UpA community-based clothing distribution event model launched in 2020…

• Work here?How Note In The Pocket’s team gets in
• AddNews from Note In The Pocket, first on your Home.Add
• Volunteer at the Volunteer CenterOpportunities include clothing processing, delivery, administrative tasks, and more.Sign up
• Join Teen Board as mentorDedicated adults mentor high school students in leadership program.Sign up
• Donate clothing and shoesCommunity can donate gently used or new clothing items year-round.See list
• DonateOnce or monthly.Donate

Based in

Raleigh, NC

Founded

2013

Staff

21

Website

noteinthepocket.org

• Note In The Pocket9650 Strickland Rd Ste 103 Pmb 168

• DEC5Sip & ShopSat, Dec 5 · noon to 4pm