2005-2025:
In 2005, Margaret, a recent college graduate began her dream job—teaching kindergarten to an underserved population in an impoverished school. With a student population beset with all the problems commonly associated with poverty, she quickly realized that her training had not addressed the realities of teaching students who were struggling mightily outside the classroom. Margaret shared her concerns with her mother and together, they decided that they would focus on providing one basic need—the lack of seasonally appropriate clothing for school. It was late September and Margaret had noticed that many of the children did not seem to have sweaters or jackets. What would they do when it got really cold?
Together, Margaret and her mother purchased coats from store sales and thrift shops, and obtained donated coats from friends, neighbors and family. The teacher was able to send a coat home with each child in her class before the temperature dropped to below freezing. The next day, some of the coats were returned. It never occurred to some of these families that the coat could be a gift for the child to keep. The school’s social worker prepared a note explaining that the coats were donations from the community. A copy of the note was then inserted into the pocket of each item and the coats were then sent back home with the children.
Things quickly snowballed as others learned of this generosity. The following year, each Kindergarten-aged child in the school was given a coat. By the third year, they were able to provide a coat for each child in the entire school. It was quickly learned that children need more than a coat! Students in need now receive a mini-wardrobe of clothes including new socks and underwear, sneakers, enough tops and bottoms to create a seasons’ worth of outfits and any outerwear appropriate to the season. Younger siblings and adults in the home receive quality clothing as well. What started as a one-family ministry in a single classroom in a single school has now spread to our entire community. A simple “Note in the Pocket” can have an immeasurable impact on the life of a child when it conveys a powerful message—you are loved.
Today, the mission has spread to serving our entire Triangle community regularly as well as providing long-term Hurricane Helene disaster recovery support. Note in the Pocket is a community-focused and community-driven North Carolina organization committed to clothing children and families with dignity and love. We are also a driving force in the national movement to bring awareness to the issue of clothing insecurity, a key factor in the scarcity mindset that perpetuates generational poverty. Until true stories are shared and a problem is acknowledged and understood, it can not be eradicated.
This year, as we celebrate our 20th Anniversary, we take a moment to reflect on the immeasurable impact a simple “Note in the Pocket” can have. It does more than just provide warmth; it delivers a powerful, unspoken message to every child: you are loved.
Consider joining our Confidence Club Monthly Donor program where $20 a month will sponsor a complete mini-wardrobe for a child in need.