Dining Out for Life is a popular annual fundraiser in which restaurants, food trucks, bakeries, and bars get together to donate a portion of their sales to HIV/AIDS service organizations. Originally held in 1991 in Philadelphia, the Dining Out for Life model has expanded to over 50 different cities in the United States and Canada.
For the 25th annual fundraiser, the nationwide date was set for Thursday, April 30. Restaurants and diners in Broward County will be participating in Dining Out for Life on that date. In Tampa Bay and Orlando, they will be holding their Dining Out for Life fundraiser two days early, on Tuesday, April 28.
In Broward County, proceeds will benefit the acclaimed HIV/AIDS service organization Broward 
House. One in 88 individuals in Broward County are HIV-positive, and Broward House has helped these individuals and their families with care, support, and resources for over 25 years. With four service and thirteen housing locations across Broward County, Broward House educates thousands of people per year about HIV/AIDS and how to prevent the transmission of HIV. For people who already have HIV, Broward House strives to meet patients’ medical and physical needs so they can continue living long, healthy and productive lives.
Two different HIV/AIDS service organizations will benefit from Dining Out for Life in Central Florida. In Tampa Bay, proceeds will benefit the AIDS Service Association of Pinellas (ASAP). ASAP has provided care and resources for the thousands of people impacted by HIV/AIDS in Pinellas County continuously since 1987. The organization has three office locations: two in St. Petersburg and one in Clearwater.
Dining Out for Life makes a triumphant return to Orlando this year. Last organized by the non-profit Miracle of Love, proceeds now benefit The GLBT Community Center of Central Florida (The Center). The Center tests more people in Central Florida for HIV each year than any other organization. Now currently undergoing a renovation, The Center, located in the Mills 50 district of Orlando, places HIV/AIDS testing, education, and prevention at the highest priority.
All that is required of businesses to participate is that they set aside a portion (usually 25%, but more if the owners choose) of their earnings from one specific mealtime to donate to the 
HIV/AIDS service organization local to them: whether it be Broward House, ASAP, or The Center.
Some businesses are going above and beyond. J. Mark’s Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale has announced that they will give 100% of their dinner proceeds to Broward House on Thursday, April 30. The LGBT Welcome Center in St. Petersburg will be selling desserts and donating all of their proceeds directly to ASAP.
As of press time, fifteen different restaurants announced that they would be participating in Dining Out for Life in Broward County. These businesses include the 11th Street Annex, 13 Even, Dapur Asian Tapas and Lounge, Hobo’s Grill, Hot & Soul, J. Mark’s Restaurant Fort Lauderdale, Mojo Restaurant and Lounge, Moments in Time Bistro, O-B House, The Over Easy Cafe, The Pink Submarine, Pizza Fusion Fort Lauderdale, Rosie’s Bar and Grill, Thirteen, and Tijuana Taxi Company (Coral Springs and Davie locations). To browse a list of these restaurants, complete with telephone numbers so you can make your reservations for Thursday, April 30, visit diningoutforlife.com/browardcounty.
Over 50 restaurants, bars and food trucks are participating in Dining Out for Life in Central Florida. Participating restaurants in the Orlando area include Flippers Pizzeria, Southern Moon Smokehouse and Tako Cheena. A portion of the restaurants and bars in Tampa Bay that are participating include Community Cafe, Flamingo Resort, The Garage on Central, Georgie’s Alibi, Hamburger Mary’s Clearwater, Hamburger Mary’s Tampa, Mangia Gourmet, Oar House, Pro Shop Pub, The Queens Head, and Quench Lounge, to name a few. For a full list of participating businesses in Tampa Bay and Orlando, visit diningoutforlife.com/tampabay.
This year’s Dining Out for Life is brought to you by sponsors such as Walgreens, TIGLFF, SunTrust, Bright House Networks, Hot 101.5 and Clear Channel Outdoor in Central Florida, and Milner, We Florida Financial, BMK Media, and Subaru in South Florida. Hotspots Media Group is proud to be a media sponsor of Dining Out for Life in both South and Central Florida.
For more information about Dining Out for Life in Florida and other states, visit diningoutforlife.com.
