OUR MISSION & STORY
OUR STORY
2005-2011:
A Teacher’s Vision
In 2005, a recent college graduate began teaching kindergarten at a local Title I school. As colder weather approached, she noticed that many of her students did not have sweaters, jackets, or other seasonally appropriate clothing for school. She shared her concerns with her mother, and together they decided to address one immediate need: making sure every child in her classroom had a warm coat.
They purchased coats from store sales and thrift shops, providing one for each student before temperatures dropped below freezing. To make it clear that the coats now belonged to each child to keep, the school social worker created a note explaining that the coats were gifts from the community. That note was tucked into the pocket of each coat—and the idea behind Note in the Pocket was born.
As others learned about the effort, support grew. The following year, they provided coats to every kindergarten student at the school. By the third year, every student in the school could receive one.
What began with one teacher responding to a clothing need in her classroom grew into a community-wide effort to ensure children have access to the clothing they need for school and everyday life.
2011-2019:
Becoming a Nonprofit and Expanding Our Reach
In August 2011, Dallas Bonavita saw an announcement in her church bulletin requesting coat donations for the upcoming fall. Inspired by the effort, she began developing a model that could collect clothing donations year-round and fulfill individualized clothing requests for children and families.
As donations increased, so did the need for space. Following a summer clothing drive, Dallas secured a small classroom at North Raleigh Ministries’ crisis center, giving the growing program a dedicated place to collect, sort, and distribute clothing. The program later moved into a larger donated space as its reach continued to expand.
In spring 2012, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, supported Note in the Pocket by allowing the organization to accept tax-deductible clothing and financial donations under its registration. Note in the Pocket then secured its own independent nonprofit status in August 2013, and Dallas became the organization’s Executive Director.
Over the following years, Note in the Pocket continued to expand its capacity, partnerships, and ability to provide personalized clothing support to children and families across the community.
2020-2024:
Growth and Expansion
In 2020, Note in the Pocket adapted its services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. With schools closed and traditional referral channels disrupted, we launched an Emergency Clothing Effort to continue reaching children and families. We also introduced Pocket Pop-Up events, bringing free clothing directly into communities and creating a new way for families to select the clothing they needed.
In May 2020, we opened a temporary second location to accommodate growing clothing donations and provide additional space for volunteers. In fall 2021, we consolidated our operations into a larger facility at the Crossroads Fellowship campus in Raleigh, which is the site of our current facility in Wake County.
In summer 2022, Note in the Pocket expanded its services into Durham County. We partnered with Inter-Faith Food Shuttle and WellCare to host two Pocket Pop-Up events and piloted a program with Durham Children’s Initiative to provide clothing to 50 children.
By 2023, Note in the Pocket had expanded its reach across the Triangle. In January 2024, we opened a dedicated Durham location, increasing our capacity to address clothing insecurity for children and families throughout the region.
Our Vision for the Future: New Partnerships, Continued Growth
Today, Note in the Pocket serves children and families across all 12 municipalities in Wake County and throughout Durham County. As we look to the future, we are focused on strengthening community partnerships and expanding our capacity to address clothing insecurity across the Triangle.
Continued support through high-quality clothing donations, volunteer engagement, and financial contributions will help us meet growing clothing needs and ensure more children and families have access to the clothing they need for school and everyday life.
GET INVOLVED
How YOU Can Help
There are many ways to help address clothing insecurity in our community. Give financially, donate quality clothing and essential supplies, or volunteer your time to help children and families access the clothing they need.
Stay connected by signing up for our newsletter and following us on social media to learn more about our work and ways to get involved.
GET INVOLVED
How YOU Can Help
There are many ways to help address clothing insecurity in our community. Give financially, donate quality clothing and essential supplies, or volunteer your time to help children and families access the clothing they need.
Stay connected by signing up for our newsletter and following us on social media to learn more about our work and ways to get involved.
