New Orleans – Every Sunday morning, Saints fans Allen Keller and Katherine Seals arrive at the New Orleans Mission before 9 a.m. to distribute freshly prepared meals, water and essential supplies to the homeless community gathered near the Superdome. Their effort, known as #TailgateTogether, has become a reliable source of aid for people living on the streets.
From leftovers to fresh meals
Keller and Seals began by handing out leftover food from local restaurants, but quickly realized that offering leftovers did not honor the dignity of those they were helping. “The thought of giving the homeless our leftovers didn’t feel right,” Keller told a local outlet. “So we started cooking the homeless their own separate, fresh meal.” Today, the pair pick up boxed lunches donated by Firehouse Subs, add fresh side dishes, and serve the meals directly to the people who need them.
Scale of need in New Orleans
The city’s Office of Homeless Services and Strategy saw its annual budget slashed from $3.6 million to $700,000 in 2025, leaving a massive gap in resources. Estimates suggest more than 1,500 individuals in Orleans and Jefferson parishes are experiencing homelessness, many of whom fall through the limited safety‑net programs available.
Existing food distribution sites, such as the Rebuild Center, Ozanam Inn, Giving Hope NOLA and Grace at the Greenlight, operate on narrow windows of time, making it difficult for many to access meals. #TailgateTogether fills a crucial gap by providing a consistent, weekly distribution that does not require a rigid schedule.
Volunteer logistics
Keller leaves his home at 8 a.m., picks up the donated lunches, and arrives at the Mission by 9:15 a.m. By 9:32 a.m., the table is cleared—every meal, water bottle and care package has been handed out. The volunteers also empower the homeless participants to manage the distribution themselves, preserving a sense of agency and community.
How the public can help
#TailgateTogether relies heavily on community donations. In addition to food, the group seeks monetary contributions and items from an Amazon Wish List that includes toothbrushes, toothpaste, bath wipes, blankets, socks and reusable bags. All donations go directly to supporting the weekly distribution.
One unnamed man, who works full‑time in the French Quarter and has housing lined up for January, shared his concern for other homeless families. He often sleeps in remote spots along Poydras Street to watch over vulnerable women and children, sometimes giving his own cash for a hotel night to those in need.
Broader context
Nationally, an estimated 750,000 people are homeless, and rising living costs, inflation and cuts to SNAP and Medicaid benefits threaten to increase that number. While New Orleans faces its own challenges, similar grassroots efforts are emerging in cities like Atlanta, New York and Indianapolis, where volunteers are stepping in to address gaps left by shrinking public resources.
As the Saints prepare for their next Monday Night Football matchup, Keller and Seals hope their community‑first model will inspire other fans and citizens to take action in their own neighborhoods. “It’s bigger than football,” Keller says, urging readers to consider how they can support the homeless in their own cities.
Original reporting: All Sports Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
