NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Galatoire’s Restaurant and The Galatoire Foundation are pleased to announce the date of its annual Christmas Auction to benefit local nonprofits Tuesday, Dec. 8. Recipients chosen are Kingsley House, STAIR, Grace at the Greenlight and The Galatoire Foundation. This year, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the auction will be at Galerie de Galatoire, the newest dining location in the Galatoire’s family (211 Royal St., New Orleans) to allow for proper social distancing. Patrons will be seated for the event and hors d’oeuvres will be at the tables instead of hand passed in keeping with guidelines and maximum occupancy requirements associated with restaurants. Tickets are available here.
Each year, the Galatoire Foundation holds Christmas and Mardi Gras table auctions to assist in supporting local nonprofit organizations. Started in 2006, the Christmas and Mardi Gras table auctions have raised more than $2.2 million for local charities. Each fun and lively auction allows guests the opportunity to reserve a table on Galatoire’s famed first floor the Fridays before Christmas and Mardi Gras. Those attending this year’s event will be required to wear masks as the health and safety of Galatoire’s patrons, community and staff remains priority, as it always has.
“We recognize that the auction will look a little different this year,” said Melvin Rodrigue, Galatoire Foundation president. “The funds raised this year are more vital than they’ve ever been. Our industry has been hit hard and we know nonprofits face the same uncertainties. We hope by moving forward with the auction, funds raised will help sustain our recipients’ operations. This has been a difficult year for us all, and we hope this event, with everyone masked and socially-distant, will bring a bit of normalcy to our loyal patrons.”
Since the inception, all proceeds have benefitted nearly two dozen New Orleans-area charitable organizations, from neighborhood rebuilding projects and crime prevention to youth programs and entrepreneurship efforts. Past recipients have included Dress for Success, Audubon Nature Institute, Liberty’s Kitchen, The Idea Village, The New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation and more. The Galatoire Foundation has been dedicated to giving back to the New Orleans community and region that has patronized Galatoire’s for generations.
“As a foundation and as a restaurant, we do our very best to make the charities timely and about things that are important in the community,” said Rodrigue. “We are pleased to have this year’s auctions benefit a variety of wonderful organizations that make our local community the very best it can be. This year more than ever, these funds are vital to keeping these organizations alive in our community.”
An auction paddle is $50, admits up to two guests and includes drinks and hors d’oeuvres. An auction attendance ticket is $25 (does not include a paddle to bid) and includes sparkling wine and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are required for entry and are available here.
The Galatoire Foundation’s community involvement extends across south Louisiana, working through Galatoire’s and Galatoire’s “33” Bar & Steak.
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – 