Our Community Understood the Assignment
Les Dames NOLA delivered 630+ pounds of school supplies to the New Orleans Women & Children’s Shelter in July 2026.
When Les Dames New Orleans launched our Back-to-School Supply Drive this summer, we had one goal: help local kids head back to school feeling prepared, confident and excited for a fresh start.
By the time the final collection box was emptied, here's what we'd accomplished together:
2,374 individual school supplies
630+ pounds of supplies
69 fully stocked backpacks
Every pencil, notebook, marker and backpack was delivered to New Orleans Women & Children's Shelter, helping ensure that the excitement of the first day of school comes with the tools they need to succeed.
This effort was powered by an amazing network of community partners who opened their doors, hosted collection boxes and encouraged others to give. Thank you, thank you to: Bywater Bakery, Chicken Salad Chick in Slidell & Metairie, DBA, Hen House, Honey's, Hotel de la Monnaie, La Boulangerie, La Madeleine (3 locations!), Nolita Bakery, Purple Tiger Boutique and Tartine.
And to every Dame, neighbor, friend and donor who dropped something into a collection box—whether it was a pack of crayons or a backpack full of supplies—thank you. Your generosity turned a simple school supply drive into something much bigger: a reminder that when New Orleans comes together, we show up in a big way.
We're proud of what we accomplished together, but we're even more excited about what those backpacks represent: confidence, opportunity and a great first day of school for dozens of local kids.