Dine Out, Give Back on April 24

By Gus Hernandez

Get ready for one of the most exciting fundraising events of the year: Dining Out For Life San Diego on Thursday, April 24. This is your opportunity to dine out, have fun, and help protect the progress we have made to end HIV.

What is Dining Out For Life® San Diego?

Dining Out For Life San Diego is one of our biggest community fundraising events of the year and your chance to make a difference. On April 24, San Diego’s most generous restaurants, bars, and cafés will donate 25% or more of their sales to support The San Diego LGBT Community Center’s health and wellness programs including our HIV/AIDS services, transforming a meal into a powerful act of giving.

By simply dining out at a participating location, you will join thousands of diners to raise funds for HIV prevention, wellness services, and essential resources for our community, all while supporting local businesses and enjoying a meal with your friends, family, and colleagues.

Why It Is Important This Year

Over 15,000 people are living with HIV in San Diego County. Every year, Dining Out For Life San Diego is essential for generating support and funding for vital HIV/AIDS services. This year, however, it is even more critical as proposed federal cuts are targeting LGBTQ+ programs such as healthcare access, HIV prevention, housing, mental health support, and other supportive services. Dining Out For Life San Diego helps ensure we have the resilience to withstand these challenges and continue supporting those in need, all while offering a fun and inclusive way for everyone to participate.

With our community’s participation in Dining Out For Life San Diego, we can continue to fund HIV/AIDS services that help our community thrive.

Plan Your Dining Experience

Check out the growing list of participating locations throughout San Diego County and make plans to dine out all day on Thursday, April 24. Whether you are grabbing breakfast with a friend, enjoying lunch with colleagues, or having a family dinner, every meal counts. By choosing to dine at a participating restaurant, you are directly supporting The Center’s mission and helping to ensure that vital services remain available to those who need them most. Visit The Center’s website at thecentersd.org/dofl-locations/ for the list of participating locations.

Create a Fundraising With Friends Page

Lead the charge by setting up an individual or team fundraising page. Rally your friends, family, and coworkers to contribute to this important cause. The more we raise, the greater the impact we can make. Fundraising with friends not only amplifies your contribution but also spreads awareness about the importance of supporting our community’s health and wellness programs.  Visit donate.thecentersd.org/DOFLSD25 to get started.

Refer a Restaurant

Do you know of a restaurant that would be perfect for this event? Help us expand our list of participating locations by referring a restaurant or sending us a recommendation. The more venues we have, the greater the reach and impact. Refer a restaurant at thecentersd.org/dofl/. 

Become a Dining Out For Life San Diego Ambassador

The heart of this event is our Volunteer Ambassadors, who are essential to our success. As a Volunteer Ambassador, you will be stationed at participating locations to let folks know about Dining Out For Life San Diego and encourage them to get involved. We need several volunteers to fill morning, lunch, and evening shifts across all locations.

Volunteer on the event day to spread the word at participating locations, hand out “I Dined!” stickers, and encourage diners to donate. Ambassadors play a crucial role in creating the energy and excitement that make this event so special. Training takes just one hour, and shifts are available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (with the greatest need in the evening). As an Ambassador, you will help to ensure the success of Dining Out For Life San Diego and make a tangible difference in our community.

If you want to be part of this inspiring event, let us know soon because spots are filling up quickly for the most popular locations. Visit thecentersd.org/dofl/ to sign up.

Why Your Participation Matters

Now is the time to make a difference. Your participation ensures this year’s Dining Out For Life San Diego is the most impactful one yet. By coming together as a community, we can support The Center’s essential services and ensure that no one in our community is left behind. Your involvement, whether as a diner, fundraiser, restaurant referrer, or Ambassador, plays a critical role in sustaining the programs that help our community thrive.

We cannot wait for you to join us in this collective effort to share a meal and support the community we love. Let us fill San Diego’s restaurants with love, community, and generosity on April 24. Together, we can make a lasting impact and continue to protect the progress we have made in the fight against HIV.