This coming week, restaurants around the nation will open their doors for a meal with a mission.
Dining Out for Life will celebrate its 25th anniversary April 30. The initiative, started right here in Philadelphia, allows eateries of all sizes and shapes to donate a third of their proceeds on a designated day to HIV/AIDS causes. Locally, more than 200 establishments will participate in DOFL, from up-scale restaurants to cafes to pizzerias.
Apart from offering something for diners of all tastes, the diversity of the participating businesses illustrates the diversity of the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The disease does not see socioeconomic status, age, gender, race, sexual orientation or any other factor that sets us apart from one another; it’s a disease that continues to affect people of all walks of life. As the epidemic has changed in the last 25 years, so too has DOFL, an effort that started small and has now blossomed throughout the country and even overseas. As education and awareness about HIV/AIDS has increased, so has participation; the more people learn what the disease is, who it affects and what needs to be done to combat it, the more buy-in there is for the fundraiser.
Fundraisers are held throughout the year for HIV/AIDS causes — from performance events to happy hours to walks and runs — but DOFL is unique in that it allows an everyday activity to become an opportunity for philanthropy. Businesses will already be serving meals that day, and have to do nothing different to make a difference. Diners as well can participate by simply choosing their meals strategically; many of us go out to eat at some point during the week, so by simply planning ahead and picking a participating eatery, we can turn a normal activity into a meaningful one.
No matter how well-intentioned we may be, philanthropy isn’t always easy to practice; busy schedules and tight budgets may limit our commitments. But, DOFL is an initiative that meets us all where we are.
While the epidemic of 2015 looks much different than it did when DOFL began in 1991, the reality is HIV/AIDS is still ever-present in our cities and communities. But, by each doing our part to raise funds and awareness about the disease, we can make sure the next 25 years bring us ever-closer to an AIDS-free generation.