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dining-out-for-life Posts

Dining Out For Life 2023 Another Smashin …

by Steven Henke

Dining Out For Life 2023 Another Smashing Success

DAP Health, restaurateurs, sponsors, volunteers, and diners in Greater Palm Springs work together to raise more than $270,000

On the triple-digit-hot day that was Thursday, April 27, some 12,000 local foodie philanthropists chose to keep cool by showing their community pride and participating in Dining Out For Life® at breakfast, lunch, happy hour, dinner, and late-night. And “cool” they indeed all were, sporting the badges of honor — those meaningful, orange and yellow “I Dined” lapel stickers — they earned by joining in a great cause on behalf of DAP Health. A total of more than $270,000 was raised in Greater Palm Springs, making this one of the best showings ever for the Coachella Valley.

DOFL is the annual, North America-wide gastronomic fundraising event that has not only collected more than $100 million for community-based HIV/AIDS service organizations since its inception in 1991, but perennially encourages those who may not know their HIV status to get tested so that they may be connected to the care they need to thrive.

Every year since 2005 (save for 2020 and 2021, when COVID-19 derailed best-laid plans), Greater Palm Springs has participated in the all-day/all-night affair during which the owners of many Coachella Valley restaurants, bars, cafés, and bakeries donate anywhere from 30 to 110% of their entire day and evening’s receipts — not just the profits — to the popular effort.

Each year, Greater Palm Springs not only joins more than 50 local nonprofits that partner with “2,400+ participating restaurants, 4,100+ volunteers, and 300,000+ diners to raise over $4.5 million for people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States and Canada,” per DOFL National’s website, but makes a rather valiant individual showing. In 2022, 68 desert restaurants participated to raise $207,000 — more than San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, and other large urban centers — to make ours the second-most-successful market on the continent.

Number one was Denver. But since our Indio-Cathedral City-Palm Springs 2022 metro population came in at 487,000 — versus the winning city’s nearly 3 million — it’s clear that, when a per capita perspective is taken, Palm Springs actually was number one in community pride and generosity.

For 2023, with 72 establishments participating, every effort was made for DOFLGPS to officially take that top spot by encouraging diners to make more than one meal matter. Until all the beans are counted, we’ll patiently wait to find out if we succeeded in that goal. Either way, the day and night were smashing successes, with an inaugural Arenas Bar Crawl held the night before — at Blackbook, Chill Bar Palm Springs, Dick’s on Arenas, Hunters Nightclub, QuadZ Video Bar, and Streetbar Palm Springs — shedding an additional spotlight on the culinary benefit.

“FARM has been participating in DOFL since Mark and I took over [in 2017],” says Liz Ostoich, a power restaurateur who, with her husband, owns a total of four eateries. “Tac/Quila started participating just a few days after opening in 2019. That was brave, but we pulled it off. The Front Porch and Clandestino opened last fall, so this [was] their first year.” And why is being part of the fun so important to Liz and Mark? “We believe that being part of a community means investing in people, lifestyle, and infrastructure,” she continues. “DAP Health is an easy choice for investment, as this important organization cares about the whole of the person, meeting our residents where they are, and providing comprehensive health care wrapped in grace and compassion.”

“In the ’80s and ’90s, I lost two brothers and too many friends to HIV/AIDS,” says Palm Springs power diner Melissa Lundgren, who has dined out for life for the last 12 years — first in Nashville, and here for the last five years. As usual, in 2023, Lundgren spread the word high and low among family, friends, and co-workers, urging everyone to get their head in the game. “I so appreciate all of the AIDS service organizations that have worked so hard to get us to this point where the disease is no longer a death sentence. I will continue to dine out for life until there is a cure.”

“At its heart, Dining Out For Life is a win-win community event where people get together with friends to feast for the greater good,” has said DAP Health CEO David Brinkman. “Each year, I’m awestruck not only by the generosity of our participating restaurateurs, but by the enthusiasm and pride of our deeply committed desert dwellers. What a genius way to have fun while giving back.”

Naturally, DOFLGPS would not be the smashing success it always is without the generous support of sponsors such as Gilead, and Steve Tobin and Johnny Krupa of the Grace Helen Spearman Charitable Foundation.

 

2023 Dining Out For Life Greater Palm Springs Participating Eateries

533 Viet Fusion

1501 Uptown Gastropub

Al dente Trattoria Toscana

Aspen Mills Bakery & Cafe

Barracks Bar

Bar Cecil

Birba

Blackbook

Bongo Johnny’s

Boozehounds

Carousel Bakery

Chef Tanya’s Kitchen (Palm Spring)

Chef Tanya’s Kitchen (Palm Desert)

Chicken Ranch

Chill Bar Palm Springs

Clandestino

Coachella Valley Coffee

Copley’s on Palm Canyon

Cork & Fork

Cowboy Cantina

Del Rey at Villa Royale

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit

Dicks on Arenas

EIGHT4NiNE Restaurant & lounge

El Mirasol at Los Arboles

El Mirasol Cocina Mexicana

Elmer’s Restaurant

El Patio

FARM

4 Saints

Gelato Granucci

Grand Central Palm Springs

Heirloom Craft Kitchen

Hunter’s Nightclubs of Palm Springs

Ice Cream & Shop(pe)

I Heart Mac and Cheese

Impala Bar & Grill PSP

Jake’s

Johannes

Johnny Costa’s Ristorante

Kaiser Grille

King’s Highway

Loco Charlies Mexican Grill

Le Donne Cucina Italiana

Lulu California Bistro

MidMod Cafe

Mr. Lyons

Nature’s Health Food & Cafe

On The Mark

Palm Greens Cafe

Purple Room

Quadz Palm Springs

Reforma

RUNWAY Bar & Restaurant

Shame on the Moon

Sherman’s Deli & Bakery

So-Pa at L’Horizon

Spencer’s Restaurant

Street Bar

Tac/Quila

Tailor Shop

The Barn Kitchen at Sparrow’s Lodge

The Front Porch

The Pantry at Holiday House

The Penney

The Tropicale Restaurant & Lounge

Townie Bagels

Trio Restaurant

Tu Madres Cantina & Grill

Willie’s Modern Fare

Wilma & Frida’s Palm Springs

Zin American Bistro

pairs (kerning).

Dining Out for Life Coachella Valley 201 …

by Desert AIDS

A powerful story about the impact of a community in action

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Steven Henke

shenke@desertaidsproject.org

(760)656-8401

Palm Springs, CA – Eighty-three local restaurants, bars, bakeries and coffee shops participated in Dining Out for Life on April 25 donating 33% or more of their food, beverage, and liquor gross sales to support Desert AIDS Project. Setting a record this year, fifteen participants donated 50% or more. The local event, which raised $307,000, was part of the larger Dining Out for Life program which occurs on the last Thursday of April each year.  In 2019, there were 49 Dining Out For Life events throughout North America. 2,459 restaurants participated, and with the support of 4,000 volunteers and 400,000 diners, more than $4 million was raised to support local HIV services.

Harold Matzner donated 100% of Spencer’s gross revenue in honor of his friend, Barbara Keller who championed the mission of DAP and for whom DAP’s main building will be renamed ‘The Barbara Keller LOVE Building’.  Matzner’s restaurant was the top fundraising location in North America for the second year in a row joined by Lulu California Bistro and Trio Restaurant as the top three fundraising locations.  Jointly, the three locations raised over $74,000.

Locally, the event generates great community pride of place.  Greater Palm Springs raised more funds than cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC, and San Francisco.   “This is a powerful story about the impact of generous restaurants and our local community.” Said Desert AIDS Project’s Chief Development Officer, Darrel Tucci who credits the generosity of Great Palm Springs business owners for raising a record amount this year for client services at Desert AIDS Project (DAP).  “Palm Springs is the smallest participating market, but because of their commitment to DAP, we were second in overall fundraising again this year.  No other market can boast the level of commitment shown in Greater Palm Springs.”

Beyond fundraising to support DAP’s clients and services, the event generates community awareness of HIV/AIDS and supports Desert AIDS Project’s mission to enhance health and well-being of its community. Desert AIDS Project provides compassionate care for 6,500 patients and clients.  Desert AIDS Project’s goal and specialty is helping people achieve overall health. DAP is in the midst of a capital campaign, D.A.P. Vision 2020, which when fully funded, will enable it to double the number of patients and clients served.  Desert AIDS Project CEO, David Brinkman explains why the expansion is so important.  “There are 27,000 transgender individuals in our service area that need culturally competent care.  40,000 low income residents near DAP are still without healthcare and our neighbors facing a mental health crisis often wait weeks or months for an appointment.  Treatment for addiction, is often out of reach and affordable housing is almost non-existent in Palm Springs.  The future of DAP is humanitarian, moving individuals into care and onward toward a life of wellness.

Brinkman reflected on the impact of Dining Out for Life Greater Palm Springs. “Few other events bring DAP closer to our tap root of community action. DAP was founded on unconditional love and guided by community members who defined and funded solutions to help those in need. I hope the community shares our great sense of pride in being home to the top three fundraising restaurants in North America for the third year in a row.”  Over 10,000 residents ‘made one meal matter’ at participating locations throughout the day sporting their ‘I Dined’ badges of honor. 

Sponsors of Dining Out for Life Greater Palm Springs included Sysco Riverside, Nonstop Wellness, NBC Palm Springs, The Desert Sun, CV Independent, Standard Magazine, Gay Desert Guide.  The date for Dining Out for Life Greater Palm Springs 2020 is Thursday, April 26.

Dining Out for Life Greater Palm Springs

Donated 100%

Donated 69%

Donated 60%

Donated 50%

Donated 33%

About Desert AIDS Project

Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) is a Federally Qualified Health Center in Palm Springs, CA offering D.A.P. Total Care – a combination of medical, dental, counseling, social services, support groups, alternative therapies, in-house pharmacy and lab, and other health and wellness services.  D.A.P.’s sexual health clinic, The DOCK, offers STD testing and treatment, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and HIV and HCV testing. D.A.P.’s Get Tested Coachella Valley campaign, the nation’s first region-wide free HIV testing and access to care initiative, was recognized by the White House for helping to bring about an AIDS-free future.  D.A.P. has earned a “Four Star” rating from Charity Navigator for the sixth consecutive year – landing D.A.P. in the top 6% of nonprofits rated. The distinction recognizes that we exceed industry standards in terms of our financial health, accountability,  and transparency. Visit www.desertaidsproject.org, www.thedockclinic.org, and www.gettestedcoachellavalley.org to learn more.

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Local restaurants ‘Make One Meal Matte …

by Desert AIDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steven Henke
shenke@desertaidsproject.org
(760) 656-8401

Dining Out for Life Coachella Valley is April 27
Local restaurants ‘Make One Meal Matter’ to benefit Desert AIDS Project

PALM SPRINGS, CA, (March 30, 2017) More than 60 restaurants across the Coachella Valley will ‘Make One Meal Matter’ on April 27 when they participate in Dining Out for Life 2017 supporting Desert AIDS Project. Locally, an estimated 10,000 diners will eat breakfast, lunch or dinner during the annual event which also happens in cities across the United State and Canada.

Click here for a list of all participating restaurants

Dining Out for Life is a national campaign held each year on the last Thursday in April throughout the United States and Canada to raise funds for AIDS Service Organizations. Generous participating restaurants in the Coachella Valley have committed to contribute 33% or more of their food, beverage, and liquor gross sales to support Desert AIDS Project on April 27.

“This is a unique opportunity for people to join the fight against HIV/AIDS. Just choose one of the participating restaurants and enjoy a meal with friends or family and enjoy a great meal. We are grateful to the restaurants that continue to support our mission and pleased to welcome many new ones this year.” said David Brinkman, CEO of Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.).

Dining Out for Life has benefitted Desert AIDS Project for twelve years, raising $200,000 last year alone. It’s always been a popular event in the West Valley, but with the list of new participants this year, it has become a truly valley-wide event.

“The event generates community awareness of HIV / AIDS and supports Desert AIDS Projects mission to enhance health and well-being of our community.” Added Brinkman

Founded in 1984 in Palm Springs, California, as a volunteer response to the emerging AIDS crisis, Desert AIDS Project today is the largest nonprofit federally qualified health center in Palm Springs specializing in HIV care and prevention. The agency’s “Get Tested Coachella Valley” public health initiative is dedicated to ensuring that every teen and adult knows their HIV status and that those who test positive are connected to care. D.A.P. serves over 3,600 clients who reside in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties of Southern California.

“For more than 30 years, Desert AIDS Project has provided primary health care, dental, social services and nutrition to people living with HIV and AIDS. Fundraisers like Dining Out for Life help us serve the fifty new clients who walk through our doors every month” said Darrell Tucci, Chief Development Officer at Desert AIDS Project.

“Dining Out for Life is a fun event that brings our community together. Our volunteer ambassadors look forward to welcoming diners every year.   People don’t have to do anything special. We’re not asking anyone to do something out of the ordinary. We’re just asking people to ‘Make One Meal Matter’ by going out to eat breakfast, lunch or dinner with friends and family at participating restaurants.” Said George Nasci-Sinatra, Resource Development Event Manager at Desert AIDS Project.

Participating restaurants include (but are not limited to)  Townie Bagels, The Barn Kitchen at Sparrows Lodge, Pho 533, Ristretto For Coffee Lovers, Spencer’s Restaurant, Trio Restaurant, Chill Bar, Alicante Spanish American Cuisine, Bongo Johnny’s Patio Bar & Grille, LULU California Bistro, Over The Rainbow Cupcakes, Raw Remedy Organic Juice & Raw Food Bar, Rio Azul Mexican Bar & Grill, Sunshine Café, Zin American Bistro, Appetito Deli. Aspen Mills Bakery & Café, Bonta Restaurant & Bar, Catalan Mediterranean Restaurant, Chicken Ranch, Copley’s On Palm Canyon, Dickey’s Barbeque Pit- Palm Springs, dish Creative Cuisine, Draughtsman, Eight4Nine Restaurant, El Mirasol at Los Arboles, El Mirasol Cocina Mexicana, Escena Lounge & Grill, FARM, Firehouse Subs Palm Desert, Firehouse Subs Palm Springs, Fox & Fiddle California, Georgie’s Alibi/Azul, Guacamoles, Jake’s, JT’s Diner, Kaiser Grille Palm Desert, Kaiser Grille, Palm Springs, King’s Highway at the Ace Hotel and Swim Club, Maracas Cantina & Grill – Rancho Mirage, Maracas Mexican Cantina & Grill – Palm Springs, Pinocchio in the Desert, Purple Palm at Colony Palms Hotel, Reservoir, The Slice N.Y. Style Pizzeria Ristorante, SO•PA at L’Horizon Resort and Spa, Tipper’s Gourmet Marketplace, The Tropicale, Vicky’s of Santa Fe, Watercress Vietnamese Bistro, Blaze Pizza – Palm Desert, Blaze Pizza – Palm Springs, The Terrace at Hilton Palm Springs.

About Desert AIDS Project
Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) is a Federally Qualified Health Center in Palm Springs, CA offering D.A.P. Total Care – a combination of medical, dental, counseling, social services, support groups, alternative therapies, in-house pharmacy and lab, and other health and wellness services.  D.A.P.’s sexual health clinic, The DOCK, offers STD testing and treatment, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and free HIV and HCV testing. D.A.P.’s Get Tested Coachella Valley campaign, the nation’s first region-wide HIV testing and access to care initiative, was recognized by the White House for helping to bring about an AIDS-free future.  D.A.P. is rated a “Top 20 HIV Charity” by About.com. Visit www.desertaidsproject.org, www.thedockclinic.org, and www.gettestedcoachellavalley.org to learn more.

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Dining Out For Life® 2017 Participation …

by Desert AIDS

Dining Out For Life® is a national campaign held each year on the last Thursday of April throughout the United States and Canada to raise funds for AIDS Service Organizations. In your local community, the event benefits Desert AIDS Project. 2017 marks Desert AIDS Project’s 12th annual event. In 2016, Dining Out for Life raised $200,000 for client services at D.A.P.

Dining Out for Life 2017 will be marketed via more than 1.5 million media impressions leading up to the April 27 event.  We will be inviting supporters of Desert AIDS Project to make reservations for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at participating restaurants to dine with their friends.  This annual event is an opportunity to introduce our community of supporters to your delicious menu.  Learn more about how this annual event can benefit your restaurant by downloading our Restaurant Participation Packet below.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE DOFL 2017 RESTAURANT PACKET

QUESTIONS? 
Contact George Nasci-Sinatra at 760.656.8435 or gnasci-sinatra@desertaidsproject.org