Dine Out, Give Back, End HIV on April 25, 2024
By Gus Hernandez
Zero HIV transmissions. Imagine the day when that is a reality. With your help, we can make it happen!
April is here and that means Dining Out For Life® San Diego (DOFLSD) is right around the corner! Each year, thousands of San Diegans Dine Out to Give Back, joining more than 300,000 diners who participate in this global event to raise funds for local HIV service organizations.
On Thursday, April 25, 2024, San Diego’s most generous restaurants and bars will donate 25% or more of their sales to The San Diego LGBT Community Center’s Sexual Health and Wellness program as well as many of San Diego’s most essential organizations providing critical HIV/AIDS services and prevention programs.
BeTheGeneration
A decade ago, The Center launched the #BeTheGeneration campaign as an aggressive and strategic effort to end new HIV transmissions in San Diego. The Center’s #BeTheGeneration program continues to ensure that individuals are empowered to take charge of their sexual health and wellbeing.
The Center now offers free and anonymous HIV testing Monday through Friday. Walk ins are welcome based on staff availability or make an appointment by calling 619.692.2077 or by emailing bethegeneration@thecentersd.org. Get tested in a safe and LGBTQ-affirming space and know your results in 20 minutes. Our staff includes bilingual Spanish speakers and reflects the full diversity of our LGBTQ+ community.
We also offer free STI screenings for sexually transmitted infections. The Center provides free screenings for HCV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis as part of our BTG efforts. The Center can also help you connect to HIV prevention services including PrEP, which can help prevent HIV with a daily pill or a shot every two months. Contact us to get connected to an LGBTQ-friendly provider – even if you don’t have insurance!
Volunteer for Dining Out For Life® San Diego
Are you ready to step up and make a difference in the lives of thousands of people in our community who need access to HIV services and prevention programs? We’re looking for Volunteer Ambassadors for Dining Out For Life® San Diego!
Make an extra impact as a Volunteer Ambassador for Dining Out For Life® San Diego (DOFLSD) on April 25th as we Dine Out and Give Back to provide critical funds for HIV services and programs across San Diego County.
Volunteer Ambassadors
As a Volunteer Ambassador, you will be assigned to one of the many DOFLSD participating locations on the day of the event to help answer questions about where the funds go, promote DOFLSD, and request direct donations from people who are there to Dine Out and Give Back! Since folks are already dining at a participating location, they are already contributing just by dining out! We have found that people are receptive to hear about where their DOFLSD funds go, and if asked they will take the extra step to make a direct donation to support this important cause.
Ready to get involved? Signing up as a Volunteer Ambassador is easy – just fill out the form on our website at thecentersd.org/dofl and we will get back to you with information about how to become a Volunteer Ambassador. But act quickly because spots are filling up fast for our most popular participating locations!
Fundraising with Friends
This year, we are also introducing a new element for DOFLSD: Fundraising with Friends! With Fundraising with Friends, you can now turn your dining experience into a powerful fundraising opportunity. With the help of your friends, family, and colleagues, you can make a huge impact. This year, funds raised through DOFLSD will go to The Center’s HIV/AIDS services and prevention programs, as well as HIV service organizations throughout San Diego County!
Become a Fundraiser
Visit our DOFLSD website and decide if you want to raise funds as an individual, create a team, or join an existing fundraising team. Imagine the impact when we involve our family, friends, and co-workers to funds and awareness for Dining Out For Life® San Diego! Grab your friends and family and create a team to help us expand to more San Diego organizations!
Deliciously Generous
On April 25, every bite you take supports our mission when you Dine Out at one of our participating locations throughout San Diego County. Make your plans to Dine Out to Give Back! See our list of participating restaurants at thecentersd.org/dofl – there’s something for everyone!
Thank you for being part of our vibrant community. Together, we’ll make this year’s Dining Out For Life® San Diego the most memorable one yet!