In this week’s Shop Jersey Shore Podcast, host Lisa Mazzuca sits down with Debbie Trainor, founder of Each Stitch Counts, a Tom’s River–based nonprofit that pairs bottles of dish soap with handmade cotton dishcloths for neighbors using local food pantries. What began with five bottles and five dishcloths has grown into a county-wide effort serving dozens of pantries every month.
Below is a practical guide to the mission, the need, and the many simple ways you (or your business, school, or club) can jump in and help.
The spark that started it all
During the pandemic, Debbie did what dedicated knitters do—she made dishcloths, lots of them. When in-person visits resumed, she picked up five bottles of dish soap, tied on five hand-knit cloths, and brought them to The HOPE Center in Toms River. Staff lit up: cleaning supplies rarely get donated, yet they’re essential for safe, dignified meals at home.
Debbie dug into the data and found that roughly three-quarters of pantry users go without basic cleaning items. Each Stitch Counts was born.
What Each Stitch Counts does today
- Nearly 400 bottles per month distributed
- 20 food pantries served across Ocean County (core pantries monthly, others quarterly or twice yearly), with select distribution into Monmouth County
- Holiday projects: 500 three-ounce mini bottles with dishcloths for Thanksgiving baskets
- Annual goal: 5,000 bottles in the current year; long-term target of 10,000+ bottles as capacity grows
“Dignity matters. A good meal should end with clean dishes, not a sink you can’t safely wash.” — Debbie Trainor
Why dish soap?
Food pantries do a great job supplying food. Cleaning supplies often don’t make the list, yet they’re crucial:
- Clean plates, bottles, and cookware prevent illness
- A small bottle of soap + sturdy cloth restores a sense of control and care at home
- Clients often repurpose the cotton cloths as face cloths or household wipes
Knit or crochet? Here’s how to make cloths that help
Materials & specs
- 100% cotton yarn only (machine-washable, dryer-safe, absorbent)
- Finished size: ~8 inches (square or round)
- Knit or crochet – both welcome
Patterns & community
- Debbie’s monthly newsletter includes a free knit/crochet pattern
- A 1,700-member Facebook maker community ships cloths from all over the country
- Yarn partner highlight: Premier® Yarns supported the mission with cotton yarn and pattern features tied to Each Stitch Counts
Tip: Choose simple, sturdy stitch patterns that can handle frequent washing and scrubbing.
How the operation scales (smart partnerships)
- The Arc Employment Center of Ocean County
Applies tamper seals and labels to bottles and stores pallets—letting the nonprofit buy dish soap by the pallet for better pricing. - Shared workspace with The Oxx Foundation (Toms River)
Volunteers gather at their shared space to pair cloths and bottles, and the two orgs share costs while supporting each other’s missions (Parkinson’s awareness and support programming).
What’s next: Clean Plate Project & Stitch & Pitch
- Clean Plate Project (Year-End Fundraiser)
Launches Oct 25 (Make a Difference Day). Goal: strengthen funding and soap inventory for the new year and push toward 500+ bottles per month in 2026. - Stitch & Pitch — Jersey Shore BlueClaws (May, Lakewood)
Bring your knitting or crochet to the ballpark, enjoy the game, and support the mission. Save-the-date coming soon in the newsletter.
Easy ways to help (pick one!)
Individuals
- Drop off a bottle of dish soap at OceanFirst Bank (off Route 37 in Toms River)—a standing collection point.
- Knit or crochet cloths (100% cotton, ~8″). Ship or drop off (details in newsletter).
- Donate funds to buy pallets of soap (bulk pricing stretches every dollar).
Groups & Businesses
- Host a dish soap drive (offices, schools, faith groups, HOAs, sports teams)
- Sponsor a pallet via corporate giving or employee match
- Set up an ongoing collection box in your lobby or store
- Volunteer as a team for a bottle-and-cloth pairing session
Makers
- Join the Facebook community, share patterns, and mail cloths monthly
- Use yarn drives, KAL/CALs, and guild challenges to boost cloth totals
Impact you can see
- A pantry can serve 100 households a day in some locations; consistent soap supply fills a chronic gap
- Holiday baskets get three-ounce bottles + cloths, so families can truly enjoy the meal and clean up safely
- Makers turn stash yarn into tangible help—every cloth heads out attached to a bottle
Stay connected & get the newsletter
- Website: eachstitchcounts.org
- Instagram & Facebook: @eachstitchcounts
- Newsletter: sent on the first of each month with fresh patterns, pantry updates, drives, and event info → Subscribe Now!
FAQ
Can I donate just one bottle?
Yes. One bottle matters. Drop it at OceanFirst Bank (off Route 37, Toms River) or contact Debbie for other options.
Do you accept acrylic cloths?
No. Cotton only – absorbent, durable, and safe for hot washes/dryers.
How often do you need cloths?
All the time. The group distributes hundreds monthly.
Can students earn community-service hours?
Yes – great project for student councils, sports teams, and service clubs.
From five bottles to thousands – every stitch really does count
Each Stitch Counts proves small, repeatable acts create real change. A bottle of dish soap. An eight-inch square of cotton. Multiplied by neighbors, clubs, and businesses across the Shore—that’s dignity delivered.
Ready to help?
Start with one bottle, one cloth, or one share of this post. Then tell a friend.
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