[NEW ORLEANS] February 11, 2026 — As Louisiana enters the peak of the 2026 Carnival season, the American Red Cross remains out in force to provide support for revelers, city workers, and the first responders keeping the celebration safe. With the festivities entering their final and busiest stretch, the Red Cross is reaffirming its commitment to the behind-the-scenes teams that keep Mardi Gras rolling. 

While the community prepares for the grand finale of Carnival festivities, Red Cross volunteers will continue to deploy the "Fueling the Front Lines" initiative. Throughout the Carnival season, the program provides daily meals, hydration, and snacks to first responders and support personnel working consecutive 12-hour shifts in the French Quarter. Recipients include NOPD, EMS, firefighters, sanitation workers, National Guard soldiers, and visiting law enforcement and military bands. Because safety doesn’t take a holiday, these workers often go without breaks to secure parade routes while others work long hours responding to fires, medical emergencies, and daily calls for service in districts across the region. 

“Mardi Gras is a time of celebration for many, but for our first responders and city workers, it is a period of intense, unrelenting service,” said Kenneth St. Charles, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross of Louisiana. “We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to those working behind the scenes. These men and women are the backbone of our city, and the Red Cross is honored to support those who are hard at work while the rest of the community celebrates.” 

In addition to supporting first responders, the Red Cross continues its partnership with the New Orleans Health Department, New Orleans Emergency Medical Services, and Ready NOLA to staff first aid stations along the Uptown and Endymion routes. To help the public find medical assistance quickly, these station locations are integrated into the WWL-TV Parade Tracker App. 

The entire two-week operation is made possible by the dedication of local volunteers and the generosity of donors. These supporters ensure that the Red Cross can fulfill its mission on the parade route while maintaining its 365-day commitment to responding to home fires and other disasters throughout Louisiana. 

“Our volunteers and donors are the reason we can say ‘yes’ when our community needs us most,” St. Charles added. “Whether it is providing a bandage on St. Charles Avenue or supporting a family after a fire in the middle of the night, we are here because our community stands with us.” 

As the final week of Carnival begins, the Red Cross reminds revelers to stay hydrated, establish meeting points with their groups, and look for first-aid tents along the route for assistance. 

About the American Red Cross: 
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org.