This article was published on February 26th, 2015
Thursday, March 26 is your chance to go out, enjoy a breakfast, lunch, or dinner, knowing that all-the-while, you’re helping to raise funds to support people living with HIV/AIDS in Vancouver. It’s called Dining Out For Life, and it’s an important annual fundraiser.
As British Columbia’s largest hospitality fundraiser, participating restaurants donate 25% of food sales to support men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS. Over the past 20 years, over $3 million has been raised.
The funds raised go to registered not-for-profit organizations, Friends for Life and A Loving Spoonful. These two organizations serve up an incredible 110,000 meals per year and deliver them to the homes of people affected by HIV/AIDS in metro Vancouver. They also provide nutritional counseling, offer support therapies, and end-of-life care for home-bound clients.
In 2011, the Public Health Agency of Canada estimated 71,300 people living with HIV/AIDS in Canada — with over 25% residing in British Columbia. Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside maintains the highest HIV prevalence in the Western world, reaching as high 27%. While new infection rates in B.C. have decreased, advanced therapies mean people with HIV/AIDS are living longer.
A list of participating restaurants is available at www.diningoutforlife.ca.
