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A combination of two promising practices — Note in the Pocket and The Wearhouse — could point the way forward
Following Hurricane Helene, distribution points in schools across western North Carolina have piles and piles of donated clothing — new and old, clean and dirty.
While school and district leaders are grateful and know their students need clothes, it is overwhelming to imagine a process for cleaning, organizing, storing, and distributing the clothing.
Winter is coming, but spring is, too, so this is weighing heavy on the hearts and minds of educators.
A combination of two promising practices — Note in the Pocket and The Wearhouse — could point the way forward.
Note in the Pocket
I first wrote about Note in the Pocket in 2015.
Note in the Pocket is a nonprofit that improves educational equity by addressing clothing insecurity. It provides quality clothing to students and families with dignity and love. As clothing is distributed, the items come with a note that says, “You are loved.”
Whether students are walking into a classroom or school or meeting with a teacher or friend, this Note in the Pocket video says, “having properly fitting shoes and clothing helps them in their educational journey and helps them have an opportunity to dream big.”
Note in the Pocket started in 2005 with one teacher’s vision to make a difference one student at a time. Now a nonprofit serving the Triangle region, Note in the Pocket has processed 1,088,334 pounds of clothing since 2013.
During the pandemic, Note in the Pocket launched an emergency clothing effort.
And now, the organization is “actively developing a clothing distribution model that can be replicated in other counties in North Carolina and perhaps, one day, nationally,” says the website.
This fall, Note in the Pocket released a comprehensive guide for setting up a clothing distribution program.
When Dallas Bonavita, the executive director of Note in the Pocket, emailed EdNC, she said, “As our state rebuilds from Hurricane Helene, clothing needs will continue to grow. Clothing insecurity can be particularly tricky to address because it requires complex storage and distribution logistics. We hope our guide inspires those to address this gap, providing practical tools and strategies to ensure no one is left without essential clothing.”
As Note in the Pocket has expanded, Bonavita says clothing mitigates bullying and mental health concerns in addition to student absenteeism.
Note in the Pocket is a model that can be used to build clothing distribution programs in western North Carolina in the aftermath of the hurricane.
To learn more about clothing insecurity, check out the Note in the Pocket website, including a Tedx talk and the guide.
The Wearhouse
In 2022, The Wearhouse at South Rowan High School was highlighted by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction as a promising practice.
The Wearhouse is “a student created and operated boutique that offers affordable fashion for every style,” according to their website. You can read more here about how students in interior design, carpentry, and fashion worked together to launch the boutique.
The Wearhouse is open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on school days. Between three to five students work during each of the six periods making up the school day. There is a donation bin outside the store at the high school where the community can drop off donations.
According to the website, The Wearhouse provides a work-based learning opportunity for students where they learn skills in business management, fashion merchandising, marketing, and customer service.
The Wearhouse was designed for students with clothing needs and/or other hardships to have access to affordable clothing without the stigma of a typical “clothing closet” environment. All items at The Wearhouse are priced under $5. Students who have been identified by student services can also receive free services. These students still have the shopping experience, but complete the transaction with a zero balance. Additionally, students who don’t meet dress code requirements for the day or experience some other kind of emergency are also able to take advantage of free services.
The Wearhouse website
A portion of the proceeds raised from The Wearhouse is invested in scholarships for student employees.
Housing clothing distribution programs at high schools allows students to have a work experience without needing transportation and reduces the stigma for students and families needing clothing.
