L to R: Caroline Rodrigue, Galatoire’s; Janeicia Neely, Executive Director, The 18th Ward; Lowrey Crews, Founder and CEO, The 18th Ward; Elise Gallinot Goldman, Executive Director, KID smART; Melvin Rodrigue, President, Galatoire Foundation
NEW ORLEANS – Mar. 27, 2026 – Today, Galatoire’s Restaurant and Galatoire Foundation presented local nonprofits with the proceeds from their annual table auctions in front of an enthusiastic Friday lunch crowd in Galatoire’s famed Main Dining Room. This year’s Christmas and Mardi Gras table auctions raised over $635,000.
Each year, Galatoire Foundation’s auctions raise funds to aid local nonprofits in achieving their goals for public good. This year, money raised during the table auctions benefit Galatoire Foundation and eight other local non-profits — including two table partners: Kid smART and The 18th Ward and six micro grant recipients: Ronald McDonald House of South Louisiana, Café Hope, Youth Empowerment Project, Society of St. Vincent de Paul New Orleans, Court Watch NOLA and Rooted Ones.
“The outpouring of generosity we witnessed this year was extraordinary and truly unprecedented,” said Melvin Rodrigue, president of Galatoire Foundation. “Reaching this milestone in our 20th year of table auctions speaks to how deeply this tradition resonates with our patrons. Their enthusiasm has transformed these auctions into a powerful force for good, allowing us to make a meaningful and lasting investment in the organizations that strengthen the New Orleans community.”
Since 2006, Galatoire Foundation has raised nearly $5 million for charities in Louisiana, by allowing guests to bid on tables to reserve the Fridays before Christmas and Mardi Gras. Since the inception of its now-famous holiday table auctions, all proceeds collected have benefitted dozens of New Orleans-area charitable organizations, from neighborhood rebuilding projects and crime prevention to youth programs and entrepreneurship efforts.
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