About Us
Clothes for Kids was started in 2018 by a few Moms at Manteo Elementary School. Winter clothing was donated by our community and given to elementary aged children who qualified for assistance through the Food for Thought program.
This was truly a community effort with support from local families, Dare Challenge, Hot Line, Social Services, Dare County Schools and various churches and businesses.
Events were held at county Parks and Rec Facilities to distribute clothes, reaching over 100 children in need.
OBX Hospital connected us with a mother and daughter who left their home with almost nothing due to abuse.
Clothes were delivered to Social Services for a Mom who had to flee in the middle of the night with her 8 and 12 year- old sons.
Heavy coats were delivered to elementary schools on cold days for kids identified with a need by school councilors.
Where We Are Today:
In 2020 Community for Kids was formally established as a 501 c3 charitable organization. Clothes for Kids remains our signature program. We serve elementary students’ clothing needs on an individual basis at our Clothes for Kids Center. Our center is a space generously provided by Dare County.
We recognize that COVID impacts our community with short-term and long-term effects. Therefore, in 2020-2021 we commit to providing clothing to all kids enrolled in Dare County elementary schools who have a need.
The board plans to expand program offerings in the coming years with more ways to support our youth.
Meet our Board!
Katy Bell
President
Business Owner; School Volunteer; Volunteer Coach; Served on other nonprofit boards.
Vicki Basnight
Vice President
Restaurant owner/manager; Community Volunteer; Served on other nonprofit boards.
Peggy Langley
Secretary
Community Volunteer; Retired from Hotel Management; Previously Executive Director of Elizabeth City Down, Inc. (non-profit) and Elizabeth City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Diane Bognich
Treasurer
Finance Officer of OBX Visitor’s Bureau; Volunteer Coach; Served on other nonprofit boards.
Erin Fleckenstein
Member at Large
Regional Manager of NC Coastal Federation; Community Volunteer, Volunteer Coach; Serves on other nonprofit boards.
Melissa Dickerson
Member at Large