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Note in the Pocket

Practices

Disciplines

 

CLOTHING INSECURITY

MEETING A CRITICAL NEED

Addressing Clothing Insecurity

Watch as Note in the Pocket’s Executive Director, Dallas Bonavita delivers a TED talk where she defines what Clothing Insecurity is and speaks about how Note in the Pocket is addressing this critical issue within our community. Our hope is that once you’ve been enlightened, this page will inspire you to take action.

What is Clothing Insecurity?

Clothing insecurity is a lack of clothing that’s properly fitted, seasonally appropriate, and in good condition. It’s a hidden crisis that is affecting 2 out of every 5 children in America, because households with children living below the poverty line cannot afford their weekly expenses, which include clothing.

THE PROBLEM

Current Clothing Insecurity Issues

Over 11 Million children living below the Federal Poverty line.
An Estimated 2 of 5 children are clothing insecure in America.
Families can Not use SNAP or WIC to help pay for clothing.
Only a handful of States offer a very minimal clothing allowance.

The Growing Impact

At Note in the Pocket, we’ve seen the number of requests for clothing almost double in the past two years. 

Students who experience clothing insecurity usually live in poverty and qualify for free or reduced lunch. In the Wake County Public School System, this includes 55,824 students, a 10% increase from the 2019-2020 school year. In Durham Public Schools, more than 65% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. 

The impact is more than being chilly in class or having holes in your socks. Our partners share stories of a little girl asking her teacher if she’s trash and of two brothers taking turns going to school because they share one pair of shoes. To us, it’s unacceptable. 

By targeting clothing insecurity, Note in the Pocket empowers students to overcome other obstacles and succeed academically and socially. We want to ensure that every single child is given the tools they need to begin a journey toward college or a career, and ultimately ending generational poverty for that family. 

After receiving a mini-wardrobe, the stories change. Instead of a child worrying about being bullied at school, they are skipping to the school bus and making new friends. Instead of keeping their head down in class, they are raising their hand high to answer a teacher’s question.

Clothing Insecurity Impact on Children:

  • When clothes and shoes are too tight, improperly fitted shoes can cause long-term problems. 
  • Students who lack sufficient clothes, shoes and outerwear frequently stay home. Those that get too far behind in school cannot catch up academically. 
  • Students wearing second-rate clothing are often bullied or become bullies to cope with emotional pain. 
  • Higher risk of behavior problems, depression and suicide. 

Want to Start a Clothing Distribution Program?

MAKE A CHANGE

IN YOUR COMMUNITY

It is our hope that by sharing this toolkit, Note in the Pocket will inspire new clothing distribution programs that will begin clothing children with dignity and love to a growing number of communities each year. There are over eleven million children in this country living in poverty. By providing quality clothing and shoes, we can improve the social, emotional, mental, physical and academic development for these children and give them a brighter future.

Below we have shared some common FAQs about starting a clothing distribution program. Don’t see what you are looking for? Please reach out to us – we’re here to answer questions, brainstorm ideas, and to celebrate your successes!

Email info@noteinthepocket.org for questions.

MAKE A CHANGE

IN YOUR COMMUNITY

It is our hope that by sharing this toolkit, Note in the Pocket will inspire new clothing distribution programs that will begin clothing children with dignity and love to a growing number of communities each year. There are over eleven million children in this country living in poverty. By providing quality clothing and shoes, we can improve the social, emotional, mental, physical and academic development for these children and give them a brighter future.

Below we have shared some common FAQs about starting a clothing distribution program. Don’t see what you are looking for? Please reach out to us – we’re here to answer questions, brainstorm ideas, and to celebrate your successes!

Email info@noteinthepocket.org for questions.

Starting a Clothing Distribution Program FAQs

Currently, Note in the Pocket is in North Carolina with two locations that cover the Triangle Region. Our Wake County location is in Raleigh, North Carolina and our Durham County location is in Durham, North Carolina.

This is a great question. Note in the Pocket has a very tight focus. We do clothing and we do it well. Having a strict focus has allowed us to grow our service numbers every year since we received our 501c3 in 2013.

How You Can Help

You can help provide clothing that will help children gain dignity and confidence in school to succeed.