History of NGA

The Needlework Guild began in England in 1882 following a mining disaster in nearby Wales. Lady Diana Wolverton gathered a group of people together to make clothing (one to wear, one to wash) for the children whose parents had died in the disaster. She “glimpsed the fact that old garments might pauperize, but new garments equalize.”

In 1885 Mrs. Harpence from Philadelphia was impressed with the work that was being done.  She shared the concept with her niece, Laura Safford, who in turn told 6 of her friends. They agreed to help her sew for the needy.  The first year, they collected 921 articles which were donated to hospitals and orphanages.  The Needlework Guild of America (NGA) was founded in Philadelphia in 1885. Ten years later, the Los Angeles branch was founded. In 2020 the name was changed to National Giving Alliance to better reflect the organization.

NGA Hancock Park is one of 18 branches of National Giving Alliance. We have been providing new clothing, linens and personal care items to our less fortunate neighbors in Los Angeles since 1895.