Live Music Venue Is Serving Meals To New Orleans Residents Without Power

September 7, 2021

A live music venue in New Orleans is serving free meals to residents who have been without power since Hurricane Ida swept through the city.

Howie Kaplan / CBS News

Howie Kaplan owns The Howlin' Wolf, a live music venue known for bringing people together.

"We take care of each other, I think, in a way nobody else does," Kaplan told CBS News.

CBS News

Local restaurants and markets that were unable to keep their food cold have donated truckloads to the cause.

"We just didn't even think about it," said Mike DeSimone, the CEO of Link Restaurant Group. "We just jumped in and started, you know, started cooking. Cause that's what we do."

CBS News

The people in line for food aren't just families who live nearby — there were also National Guard troops, police officers and utility workers.

"Right now, it's not about the money," Kaplan said. "It's about making sure folks are taken care of and making sure that we can get the word out … and make sure that people recognize how important New Orleans really is."