A Delicious Proposition

On April 26, Dining Out For Life, the annual fundraiser for HIV hosted by Subaru, offers a delicious proposition: eat at one of 3,000 participating restaurants (located in over 60 cities across the country) and the establishment will donate a generous portion to the cause. Proceeds are distributed in the cities where they were raised, funding local programs providing HIV care, prevention, education, testing, counseling, and other essential services.

Dining Out For Life began in Philadelphia in 1991, and has since grown into an international event raising nearly $4 million annually and $38 million in the past decade. Spokespeople, who volunteer their time, include poz designer Mondo Guerra (Project Runway All-Stars), gay foodie Ted Allen (Chopped), actor Pam Grier (Foxy Brown, Jackie Brown), and chef Daisy Martinez (Viva Daisy!).

“The wonderful thing about Dining Out for Life is you can do it three times a day — a different restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” Guerra said in a statement to the press. “You can sit down and have a meal with someone interesting, someone you love, maybe someone you haven’t seen in a while. And, it’s an opportunity to have a conversation.” That’s perfect, Guerra said, because “the fight against this disease begins with real, honest conversation.”

Whether you talk about treatment or prevention, or chose one of those mealtime conversations to come out about being poz; you’ll know you’re supporting a great cause while doing so.

While most cities hold their annual events on the last Thursday of April, some have alternate dates, so it’s best to confirm your local information. Do so, and find participating restaurants, at DiningOutForLife.com.