Mark your calendars for Trinity Episcopal Church’s 5th Annual “Claws for a Cause” outreach fundraiser and buy tickets now.

We will be blocking off South Commerce Street in front of the church in beautiful downtown Natchez on the evening of May 19 for a street party and feast, 5 to 8 p.m. What’s on the menu? Delicious lobster, great barbecue chicken and hamburgers. Beer, wine, soft drinks and snow cones will be available for purchase.

Along with the great food and drink, our event’s lively atmosphere is one you will not want to miss. Musical entertainment will be provided by Forest Huval Cajun Band from south Louisiana. If you’re not up dancing, you’ll have your toes tapping.

Kids will enjoy inflatable jumps, face painting and games in a fenced yard. Join a guided church tour to learn about Trinity’s history, stained glass windows and organ. Most of all, you can sit back and enjoy being with friends, knowing that your good time also supports the good work of local and Mississippi ministries.

We encourage everyone to come out and support this great cause as 100 percent of the proceeds after expenses will be split evenly between two ministries: the Natchez Stewpot and Camp Bratton Green & The Gray Center.

Natchez Stewpot serves hundreds of meals each day to those in need in our community, both in its St. Catherine Street location and in daily deliveries made throughout the county by volunteers.

“We are very grateful for the support of Trinity Church,” said Amanda Jeansonne, president of the Stewpot Board, “and to be chosen as the beneficiary of the Claws for a Cause fundraiser. The money raised will help provide much-needed equipment, repairs and maintenance and will also help with our higher utility bills in the summer months.”

Camp Bratton Green is known as a second home to many. CBG’s mission is “to foster and nurture the spiritual growth of children and young people through a Christian camp experience.” The Gray Center is the spiritual and recreational retreat center of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi. The programming at Gray Center and the ministry of Camp Bratton-Green reflect the vision and energy of the Rt. Rev. Brian Seage and his leadership team. Gray Center offers a destination for groups in search of a location to support community, spirituality, and hospitality. Gray Center’s doors are always open to groups of all denominations as well as civic and corporate groups.

Last year, because Natchez ate lots of lobster, Trinity Episcopal Church was able to write each beneficiary a check for over $12,000.

Claws for a Cause has become a Natchez block party everyone looks forward to each May. Guests and volunteers all have a great time.

“Claws for a Cause is an exciting and fun way of raising money for charity. The people of Natchez have been very helpful in this event in the past and we hope for continued wonderful support this year,” said The Rev. Ken Ritter, Priest-In-Charge at Trinity Church.

To purchase tickets or T-shirts or to volunteer for the event, call your favorite Trinitarian or the church office at 601-445-8432 or visit trinitynatchez.org to purchase online. To get to Natchez in time, the lobster must catch a flight, so, the deadline for ordering lobster is May 13. Miss it and you still may eat chicken or burgers, but why miss this novelty for Natchez? Come out for Claws for a Cause!

Sarah Lindsey Laukhuff is this year’s Chair for Claws for a Cause.