This time of year, heaps of spicy crawfish are a Louisiana tradition. But, campus groups have turned the traditional crawfish boil into an opportunity to help others.
Kappa Alpha Theta sorority’s annual fund-raiser — Crawfish on The Clover — will be held Saturday from 12 to 4 p.m. at One Lake Shore Place and will include a live band.
Members of Theta are selling tickets to the crawfish boil for $7 each to raise money for the Court Appointed Special Advocates, an organization that provides assistance for abused and neglected children.
Liza Ortego, Theta’s public relations representative, said the event is popular because “people love crawfish,” it’s an outdoor activity and it is unique to Louisiana.
“It’s a lot of fun, but it’s also a good cause,” Ortego said.
Ashley Brown, Theta president, said she hopes people will realize “numerous children are abused and the only way we can prevent this from happening is to support organizations such as CASA.”
Last year, Theta raised more than $9,000 for CASA, Brown said.
Ortego said the best thing to do at a crawfish boil is to enjoy the spring day and the company of others.
West Campus Apartments also will promote community for residents and provide charity for others during its crawfish boil, which will include a food drive for the Baton Rouge Food Bank.
The WCA residents are required to bring three canned foods to the event if they wish to feast on crawfish.
The program will be held April 24 at 4:30 p.m. in the WCA courtyard and will include an open microphone so students can display their talents while enjoying the crawfish.
Vanessa Ramos, the Residential Life coordinator at WCA, said she would advise people who were unfamiliar with crawfish to have an open mind.
Ramos, who is from Puerto Rico, said she was afraid of crawfish when she was introduced to them because of “their look and smell.”
“Well, they are bottom feeders and not the most hygienic thing,” she said. “But, they’re good.”
Steven Nelson, a residential assistant at WCA, said there were many ideas that were brought up for a program selection, but the group collectively decided that a crawfish boil was the most desirable choice because “people are attracted to crawfish.”
“We have an awesome community here; this is our way of giving back,” he said. “They deserve it.”
Tony’s Seafood, established in 1972, provided Zeta Tau Alpha sorority with a crawfish boil package — which includes corn and potatoes — for its Family Day gathering two weeks ago.
Bill Pizzolato, owner of Tony’s, said rain and warmer temperatures increase the quality and volume of crawfish, which subsequently lowers the prices.
Crawfish prices at Tony’s are presently $1.19 live and $2.19 for boiled crawfish.
But the prices change from week to week and sometimes day to day, Pizzolato said.