NATCHEZ — For the past five years, Trinity Episcopal Church has hosted a culinary event that has become a favorite of the spring season in downtown Natchez — Claws for a Cause.

The event features fresh lobster plates for those who pre-order and other meal choices for people who do not want lobster, including chicken and hamburger plates.

Funds raised at the 5th Annual Claws for a Cause from 5 to 8 p.m. May 19 will benefit the Natchez Stewpot ministry and Camp Bratton-Green, an Episcopal retreat that is open to everyone, said Sarah Lindsey Laukhuff, this year’s chair for Claws for a Cause.

“We are blocking off the 300 block of South Commerce Street from Orleans to Washington Street,” Laukhuff said. “We will have a stage set up for Forest Huval Cajun Band out of Lafayette (Louisiana). We will have a kids’ area with a jumpy house on the lawn of Glen Auburn, face painting, snow cones, beer and wine for purchase for everyone over the age of 21, and we will have our Claws for a Cause T-shirts for sale.

Laukhuff said the event is a real street party.

“It will be real festive,” Laukhuff said. “We hang big red lanterns across the street, and it just looks like a big street party. There will be an area for dancing. We will definitely have your toe tapping.”

Organizers recommend pre-ordering, especially lobster, but also other plates, Laukhuff said, and the deadline to preorder is end of day Monday.

“It helps us with our ordering process if we know how many to order,” Laukhuff said. “Last year we did run out of our barbecue chicken and all we had were hamburgers left. We highly recommend purchasing your ticket in advance and to get there early.”

Prices are $45 for a Lobster plate; $20 for a barbecue chicken plate; and $10 for a child’s hamburger plate, Laukhuff said. Beer and wine are available for an extra charge.

Tickets are available by calling Trinity Episcopal Church at 601-445-8432, Laukhuff said, or tickets can be purchased from any member of the church.

“As I like to say, find your favorite Episcopalian,” Laukhuff said.

Tickets also are available at Pearl Street Pasta at 105 S. Pearl St., Natchez, or by contacting Laukhuff at Hotel Vue, 130 John R. Junkin Dr., Natchez, Laukhuff said.

“If they want to send a Facebook message, I can make sure they get a ticket,” Laukhuff said. “Come eat out with us. It will be fun.”