Tomorrow marks the 22nd annual Dining Out for Life event, a fundraiser that began in Philadelphia in 1991 that has since grown into an international phenomenon in over 50 cities, raising more than $4 million each year for HIV/AIDS service organizations.
In 2012, nearly 200 restaurants across the Delaware Valley will take part, donating 33% of the day’s proceeds to local AIDS charities to fund care, prevention, education, testing, counseling and other essential services. In Philadelphia, these funds go a long way as the region has four times as many people infected with HIV/AIDS than the national average. “At a time when government is low and infection rates are up, events like Dining Out for Life are essential,” said Kevin Burns, executive director of Action AIDS.
Local proceeds will help HIV/AIDS services at Action AIDS, AIDS Delaware, Dooley House, Family & Community Service of Delaware County, Planned Parenthood Association of Bucks County and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania (PPSEA). To help raise awareness, Philadelphia organizers worked with Shooters Post & Transfer to film two TV spots starring celebrity chefs/authors Ted Allen and Daisy Martinez along with actress Pam Grier.
Check out the list of participating venues online at www.diningoutforlife.com/Philadelphia. Fight AIDS with your fork. What could be easier than that?
SPF