(NEW ORLEANS) – October 30, 2025 – Arnaud’s Restaurant is proud to announce the launch of its 12th annual Teddy Bear Program, beginning Friday, November 21, in partnership with the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation (NOPJF). This beloved holiday tradition encourages guests and community members to donate new teddy bears to help provide comfort to children in need.
From November 21 through December 31, Arnaud’s and collection sites throughout the city will accept donations in designated bins. At the end of the collection period, the teddy bears will be delivered to the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) for officers to carry in their vehicles and distribute to children who have experienced trauma, tragedy, or victimization.
To eliminate barriers for those unable to visit a drop-off location, Arnaud’s and NOPJF now offer a secure online donation option. Monetary contributions can be made directly at www.nopjf.org/donate (select Teddy Bear Drive from the drop down menu), allowing supporters near and far to help provide teddy bears and comfort for local children in need.
“We’re honored to continue this beloved tradition with the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation and thrilled to expand the ways our community can participate,” said Arnaud’s co-owner Katy Casbarian. “The Teddy Bear Program has always been about comfort and compassion, and these new elements make it even easier for everyone to get involved.”
Arnaud’s will debut a special teddy bear-themed dessert for the holiday season, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Teddy Bear Program. Guests can indulge in the Black Forest Mille Feuille, featuring chocolate crémeux, tart cherry jam, Luxardo cherries, and puff pastry, while supporting a meaningful initiative that directly benefits children in need across New Orleans.
The Teddy Bear Program continues Arnaud’s longstanding commitment to fostering a compassionate, connected community. Since its inception in 2014, the program has donated more than 11,000 teddy bears. Each bear donated helps remind children facing hardship that New Orleans cares for its own.
“Arnaud’s Teddy Bear Program gives our officers a way to comfort children in their moments of greatest need,” said Melanie Talia, CEO of the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation. “These new opportunities make it even easier for the community to support this effort and help strengthen the bond between our officers and the community they serve.”
Collection bins will be placed at the following locations and accessible during normal hours of operation.
DONATION BINS:
• Energy Centre, 1100 Poydras Street
• New Orleans & Company, 2020 St. Charles Avenue
• NOPJF Headquarters, 320 Metairie-Hammond Highway, Suite 500
• NOPD Headquarters, 1615 Poydras Street
• Arnaud’s Restaurant
813 Bienville Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday – Saturday dinner
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Friday lunch
10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Sunday Jazz brunch
For reservations and more information, visit www.arnaudsrestaurant.com.
For images from past Teddy Bear Program donations, click here.
About Arnaud’s
Located steps off Bourbon Street in the heart of the French Quarter, Arnaud’s offers classic Creole cuisine and exemplary service in beautifully restored turn of the century dining rooms. Since its inception in 1918, Arnaud’s has remained true to its traditions and courtesies. Offering live Dixieland Jazz in the Jazz Bistro, romantic dinners in the Main Dining Room, cocktails in the James Beard Award-winning French 75 Bar and an assortment of private dining rooms overlooking the historic French Quarter, Arnaud’s offers the quintessential New Orleans fine dining experience.
For more information, news and updates on Arnaud’s Restaurant, visit www.arnaudsrestaurant.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation
Founded in 1995, NOPJF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the New Orleans Police Department by promoting excellence in policing, efficiency in criminal justice and positive community engagement in New Orleans. Today, NOPJF works tirelessly on behalf of the New Orleans Police Department along with community groups, business leaders, criminal justice agencies, and City officials to make New Orleans a safer place in which to live, work and visit.
NOPJF is seeking supporters, like Arnaud’s, to join their partnership for a safer city. To learn more about NOPJF, visit
www.nopjf.org.
