Local restaurants raise proceeds to fight Florida’s AIDS epidemic in 18th annual Dining Out for Life

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — On April 27, participating restaurants in Jacksonville will donate a percentage of their proceeds to end the growing epidemic of HIV and AIDS on the First Coast.

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The 2023 Dining Out For Life event will benefit Northeast Florida AIDS Network, a non-profit organization that serves the city’s more than 10,000 people living with HIV. Specifically, the event proceeds will help fund NFAN’s Mary H. Lewis Food Pantry, which is available to all individuals infected with HIV in Duval County, St. Johns County, Clay County, Nassau County and Baker County.

AHF Pharmacy will again be the Title sponsor partner. Other partners include Gilead and CCN Pharmacy.

“Education remains our best defense against the spread of HIV/AIDS. Florida leads the nation in new HIV cases, and Jacksonville ranks 6th in the state. This is a conversation that we must continue to have within our community to stop the spread of HIV, especially amongst our youth. Dining Out For Life not only helps our agency with the support needed to care for our community, but it also provides the opportunity to get the conversation about HIV and AIDS started,” said Donna Fuchs, executive director at NFAN.

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This will be NFAN’s 18th year producing Dining Out For Life in Jacksonville. Last event, 20 restaurants raised more than $25,000.00.

Among last year’s participating restaurants, who donated 25% or higher to NFAN, are Carmine’s Pie House, Lola’s Burrito Joint, Biscottis, Athenian Owl, Fred Cotten’s Landmark BBQ, Black Sheep Restaurant, Orsay, Tulua Bistro and many others.

See NFAN’s website for the full list of participating restaurants.

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Dining Out For Life is an annual international fundraising event involving the generous participation of volunteers, corporate sponsors and restaurants.

In 1991, Dining Out For Life was created by an ActionAIDS volunteer in Philadelphia. The event now occurs in more than 50 cities across the U.S. and Canada. More than 3,500 restaurants donate a portion of their proceeds from this one night of dining to the licensed agency in their city.

Over $4 million a year is raised to support the missions of agencies throughout North America. Except the annual licensing fee of $1,500, all money raised in these cities stays there to serve the local area.

For more information, visit www.diningoutforlife.com.

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