NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Together, the Galatoire’s Christmas and Mardi Gras Auctions raised more than $163,000 benefitting local organizations. Each year, the Galatoire Foundation’s auctions raise funds to aid local nonprofits in achieving their goals for public good. This year’s recipients, who will receive 100% of the funds, are Roots of Music, Junior Achievement, Big Sky Ranch, Girls on the Run, Giving Hope, Bridge House/Grace House, New Orleans Ballet Association and the Galatoire Foundation.
Traditionally, a check presentation is held during a famed Friday lunch in Galatoire’s dining room to allow the restaurant’s loyal and passionate patrons the chance to join in the celebration of the deserving recipients as they are presented with the checks. This year, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic’s closure of Galatoire’s dining room, the checks were instead mailed out to the organizations to prevent delaying their receipt of these much-needed funds.
“We hope during these unprecedented times, this money comes as a welcome relief to our nonprofits. They are deserving every year, but perhaps more so this year,” said Galatoire Foundation President Melvin Rodrigue. “Our industry has been hit hard and we know nonprofits face the same uncertainties. We hope these funds can help these vital nonprofits in our community to sustain operations through this health pandemic. Even though this is a difficult time for us and all restaurants, we want to ensure those that are making our community better are able to continue their good work as well.”
For years, the Galatoire Foundation has raised millions for charities in Louisiana by allowing guests to bid on tables to reserve the Friday before Christmas and Mardi Gras. Two times a year 162 seats get auctioned off. Since 2006, $2.2 million has been raised.
Since the inception of its now-famous holiday table auctions, all proceeds collected have benefitted nearly two dozen New Orleans-area charitable organizations, from neighborhood rebuilding projects and crime prevention to youth programs and entrepreneurship efforts.
