Special to The Democrat

NATCHEZ — The Natchez Stewpot was established in 1985 to provide hot meals to residents in need — the elderly, the disabled and the home-bound, among others.

The organizers were members of several churches, including Trinity Episcopal, Jefferson Street United Methodist, St. Mary Basilica, and civic organizations such as The Council on Aging and the Ministerial Alliance.

The Stewpot programs have been reinforced in subsequent years with contributions from the African-American community.

Currently, more than 300 meals are cooked, served and delivered daily. More than 200 are delivered to the home-bound by an army of more than 30 volunteers.

The Stewpot has two full-time employees who, with the assistance of local volunteers, serve meals Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, a rotation of seven churches prepare, serve and deliver the meals.

The Stewpot is located at 69 East Franklin St. and has an operating budget of almost $100,000 a year.

However, it is constantly in need of funds to minister to the ever-growing number of persons in need of food, mainly the shut-in elderly and/or disabled.

The Stewpot building also needs major refurbishing. The Stewpot needs new volunteer drivers to deliver meals to a growing list of participants. Needless to say, the Stewpot could always benefit from  financial support of individuals and organizations.

To address the pressing organizational needs of the Stewpot, the Vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church voted this year to devote one half of the proceeds of the church’s principal fundraiser — Claws for a Cause — to the Natchez Stewpot.

On June 30, church leaders presented Amanda Jeansonne, Stewpot director, a check for $9,500 for the operations of the agency.

The other half of the raised funds go to the Damascus Endowment, a program of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi that provides scholarships for youth with special needs to attend camp at Bratton-Greene, a retreat facility outside of Jackson.

The diocesan summer camp hosts a two week session for campers with special needs and it provides opportunities for young counselors to learn more about servant ministries.

Claws for a Cause is Trinity Church’s principal fundraiser for their outreach ministry.

The lobsters are flown in from Maine the day before the event.

Trinity Church blocks off South Commerce Street and invites all of Natchez and the Miss-Lou to attend an evening of great food — boiled lobsters, barbecue chicken, hot dogs, burgers — live music and adult and non-adult beverages.

Plan to attend next year’s “Claws for a Cause” on Saturday, April 29. The event is novel and the causes are meaningful.