Our History
Grace Helping Hands was born from a simple, yet profound realization: access to basic hygiene products is not a luxury — it’s a necessity. Yet, for many women and children experiencing homelessness, these essential items are often out of reach.
Our founder, Manuella King, had been volunteering since 2008 with local nonprofits like SOME (So Others Might Eat), Bread for the City, Moveable Feast, Catholic Charities, as well as her local church. Over the years, she worked directly with vulnerable populations and consistently noticed a quiet but urgent need — feminine hygiene and personal care items were often scarce, if not completely unavailable. Women would ask discreetly for pads or wipes. Mothers would request toiletries for their daughters. It was a recurring pattern that left a lasting impression.
In 2022, after assembling kits as part of a church outreach event, Manuella felt a tug on her spirit. She saw how something as small as a thoughtfully packed hygiene kit could restore dignity, offer relief, and communicate care. That moment sparked the beginning of what would become Grace Helping Hands.
By December 2024, Grace Helping Hands officially launched as a grassroots initiative. Within the first month, the organization had already distributed over 370 kits. Each one was hand-assembled with care and delivered through trusted partners like shelters, outreach teams, and food pantries in Montgomery County, Howard County, Prince George’s County, Baltimore City and Washington DC. Our name — Grace Helping Hands — is intentional. "Grace" reflects our belief that everyone deserves compassion and dignity, no matter their circumstances. "Helping Hands" honors the many volunteers, donors, and community partners who make this work possible.
What began around a humble kitchen table has blossomed into a movement of compassion and community. Through partnerships with incredible organizations like Shepherd’s Table, City of Refuge Baltimore, and Helping Up Mission, we’re able to place hope directly into the hands of those who need it most. Today, Grace Helping Hands proudly stands as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization — proof that even the smallest acts of kindness can grow into something truly powerful.
About Grace Helping Hands
“At its core, Grace Helping Hands is about more than hygiene — it’s about humanity. It’s about showing up for our neighbors with empathy, meeting needs quietly, but powerfully, and reminding each person we serve that they are not forgotten.”
—Manuella King, Director of Grace Helping Hands
Stronger Communities
Our mission is to build stronger communities by providing essential hygiene products to those in need. We strive to create a society where everyone — regardless of income or circumstance — has access to basic hygiene necessities.
Through compassion, collaboration, and community support, we work to end hygiene poverty and empower individuals to reach their full potential. Together, we can create a more equitable and compassionate world.
We're a grassroots movement driven by a passion for social justice. We believe that everyone deserves the dignity of basic hygiene, regardless of their circumstances. Our mission is to challenge hygiene poverty and empower individuals to reach their full potential. By working together, we can create a more equitable and compassionate society.
Our Mission
Our Vision
Universal Access to Hygiene
Our values
Hygiene is a Human Right
We envision a community where every person, regardless of their circumstances, has access to essential hygiene products, leading to improved health and well-being.
We are a grassroots movement driven by a passion for social justice. At Grace Helping Hands, we believe that access to basic hygiene is a human right — not a privilege.
Our Core Values:
Dignity & Respect: We treat every individual with kindness and compassion, recognizing their inherent worth.
Community Focus: We are committed to supporting the needs of our local community, particularly unhoused women and children.
Empowerment: We provide individuals with the tools and resources they need to take control of their health and well-being.
Our Non-Discrimination Policy
We Welcome Everyone
Grace Helping Hands does not — by policy or practice — discriminate against any person or group based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or military status, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are committed to inclusivity, equity, and respect for all individuals.
Our Team
The Volunteers that Make Change Happen
#board-of-directors
Manuella King
Founder & Executive Director
MKing@gracehelpinghands.org
#board-members
#administrative-team
#newsletter-team
Manuella King
Founder & Executive Director
MKing@gracehelpinghands.org
Board of Directors
Kemisola Lofinmakin
Vice Chairperson
Theona Salmon Ponder
Chairperson
Margareta Bradley
Secretary
Vatt Russell
Treasurer
Kemie Lindsey
Board Member
Joseph Ehlinger
Board Member
Emani King
Board Member
Join Our Team
Become a Volunteer
Be part of a community that believes in care, dignity, and action. No act of service is too small – every helping hand matters.
Email: info@gracehelpinghands.org
EIN: 99-1834022
Donate to us through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) using our Charity Code #27498
Join our Newsletter
Grace Helping Hands
Restoring dignity, one hygiene kit at a time
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