Rocio Meza and Ponce’s: 20 Years of Serving Community Through Dining Out for Life
By Cesar A Reyes
For Rocio Meza, Dining Out for Life isn’t just another date on the calendar—it’s something that feels personal. Ponce’s in Kensington is a family restaurant in every sense of the word. Rocio and her brother now run it together, carrying forward something that’s been part of their lives for as long as they can remember. The routines, the faces, the feeling of the place—it’s all familiar. “I was born and raised here, so this city and its communities mean a lot to me,” Rocio says. That connection shows up every day, in small conversations across tables and in the way the restaurant has always tried to be a welcoming space for everyone who walks through the door.
That’s part of what made Dining Out for Life such a natural fit from the beginning. “It was brought to our attention early on as a way to support the LGBTQ+ community,” Rocio explains. “This community is a big part of who we serve.” What started as a simple decision to participate turned into something much bigger—20 years of showing up, year after year, without hesitation.
On the day of the event, Ponce’s feels a little different. Busier, louder, but also more intentional. There’s a shared understanding in the room, even if it’s unspoken. People come in knowing their meal is tied to something beyond themselves. Some have been coming for years, making it a tradition. Others are just learning about it. Either way, by the time they leave, they’re part of it.
“What stands out most to me is seeing how many people continue to show up,” Rocio says. “That consistency says a lot.” In a city that moves fast and changes often, that kind of steady support feels rare. It’s not about one big moment, but about all the small ones adding up over time.
Outside the restaurant, Rocio’s understanding of that impact has only grown. She’s currently studying addiction counseling at San Diego City College and hopes to intern with Stepping Stone, working with the LGBTQ+ community. Through that work, she’s seen how important it is for people to have spaces where they feel safe and supported. “I’ve come to understand how important community support is in recovery and in people’s lives overall,” she says.
That’s what gives Dining Out for Life its meaning. While the funds raised go toward programs at the San Diego LGBT Community Center, the impact goes beyond the numbers. It’s in the message behind it: that people are willing to show up for each other in real, tangible ways.
As the event celebrates 20 years, Ponce’s is right there with it. Two decades of participation isn’t something Rocio talks about as an accomplishment, but as something they’ve always done. A commitment that’s become part of who they are.
Looking ahead, she hopes more businesses join in and more people take part. “The more people who get involved, the greater the impact can be,” she says.
If she had to sum it all up in one word, it’s simple: “The WORD is COMMUNITY. That’s really what this is all about—people showing up for each other.” And for 20 years, that’s exactly what Ponce’s has done.