Food & Friends Fundraiser Set for April 25

On Thursday, April 25th, more than 100 restaurants throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area will donate 25-110 percent of their proceeds to Food & Friends.

The event, held annually in the United States and Canada, raises funds for 60 HIV/AIDS service organizations. More than 3,000 restaurants in the two countries donate a percentage of their sales for the day. More than $3 million is raised each year by more than 250,000 people who dine out for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Other Dining Out for Life events are held in Baltimore on Sept. 20 benefiting Movable Feast and on April 25 in Charlottesville, Va., benefiting the AIDS/HIV Services Group.

Locally, Food & Friends provides specialized, nutritious meals, groceries, nutrition counseling and friendship to people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses six days a week, 52 weeks a year including holidays. Its staff of professional chefs and dietitians design meals that meet the special dietary needs of persons living with a broad range of illnesses. Services are free of charge to individuals and their families and caregivers living throughout the Metro D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area.

Food & Friends has used the money raised from Dining Out for Life to deliver 15,850,775 meals to 22,687 clients since it opened in 1988. Clients include adults and children. In 2012 alone, the organization’s volunteers delivered 1,119,370 meals including 93,280 monthly and 3,588 daily. They will serve an estimated 1,157,158 meals this year.

Simply by dining out, you’ll ensure that thousands of children and adults facing HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses, receive the daily, nutritious meals so vital to their care. RESERVATIONS ARE SUGGESTED at most restaurants. Please call ahead or visit OpenTable.com. For an up-to-date list of restaurants visit foodandfriends.org/dol.

Below is a list of participating restaurants, by location, on the Food & Friends website as of Friday: