The Howlin’ Wolf Serves Thousands of Meals After Hurricane Ida

September 7, 2021

When Hurricane Ida left New Orleans without power, our city did what it does best—took care of one another. At The Howlin’ Wolf, we turned our stage and kitchen into a relief hub, serving free meals to residents, first responders, and anyone in need.

"We take care of each other in a way nobody else does," says owner Howie Kaplan. And during Ida’s aftermath, that meant acting fast.

Turning Donations Into Nourishment

As power outages shut down restaurants and markets, local businesses began donating truckloads of food they could no longer keep cold. Link Restaurant Group was among the first to join in.

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

Together with local chefs, volunteers, and our own staff, we cooked and served thousands of hot meals—no questions asked.

Feeding the Whole Community

The line outside The Howlin’ Wolf wasn’t just our neighbors. We saw families from across the city, National Guard troops, police officers, and utility workers who had been working around the clock to restore services.

For Howie, the mission was simple: "Right now, it’s not about the money. It’s about making sure folks are taken care of—and making sure people recognize how important New Orleans really is."

More Than a Venue

At The Howlin’ Wolf, we’ve always believed music brings people together—but in moments like this, it’s about more than the music. It’s about showing up for our city when it needs us most. And as long as there’s a need, we’ll keep doing just that.

READ THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE