By dining out for breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks today Thursday, April 30, San Diegans can make a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS and enjoy some of San Diego’s finest and most generous restaurants.
Now in its ninth year, Dining Out for Life San Diego “has become a wonderful San Diego tradition,” said Dr. Delores A. Jacobs, chief executive officer of The Center. “The community has truly embraced this opportunity to support our HIV/AIDS services and prevention programs.”
And local restaurants have stepped up to donate 25-100 percent of their sales on that day to support HIV/AIDS services and programs at The Center. This year’s event features some establishments that have been with Dining Out since the beginning – The Mission, Adams Avenue Grill, Urban Mo’s and more – as well as some new locations, like Lava Sushi, that is donating 100 percent.
A record-number of restaurants are contributing 50 percent, including Barrio Star, Brazen BBQ, Crest Café, The Mission (all three locations – North Park, Mission Beach and SOMA), Mariposa Ice Cream, Project Pie, Ritual Kitchen & Beer Garden, Wang’s North Park and Waypoint Public.
Adams Avenue Grill owner/chef Tim Klepeis will again donate 50 percent April 30, and throughout the entire weekend to all diners who mention they are there for Dining Out for Life.
“We are grateful for all those who make this event possible, from the restaurants owners and chefs who have committed to donate, to the Ambassadors and all those who dine out and encourage others to join them,” Jacobs said. “All of it makes a big difference, and sends a message of caring and compassion to those impacted by HIV/AIDS.”
Barrio Star’s owner and chef, Todd Camburn, is one of those individuals who continues to make a significant commitment. Barrio Star will once again be donating 50 percent of its proceeds to Dining Out for Life.
“Honestly, we know we are only as strong as the community we serve, so it is really important to give back,” Camburn said. “Being gay myself, I know HIV still affects our community. It is crucial that we continue to give to events like Dining Out because it helps raise funds to prevent HIV, educate and raise awareness.”
The recently opened Oceana Coastal Kitchen, located at the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa, will join Dining Out for Life for the first time this year.
“The impact of HIV/AIDS has been devastating over the past 30-plus years and continues to this day. While there have been great medical improvements, a cure is still elusive, resources for prevention and care are scarce, and discrimination and shame continue,” explained Robert H. Gleason, president and CEO of Evans Hotels (the parent company of the Catamaran Hotel) and former board chair of The Center. “The Center’s HIV/AIDS services are a critical part of the service delivery system in San Diego. We must continue to focus on raising funds for HIV/AIDS services and prevention programs, and we are honored to be able to help in doing so through Dining Out for Life.”
Dining Out Supports #BeTheGeneration
In addition to The Center’s overall HIV/AIDS services and prevention programs, “part of the funds raised by Dining Out for Life will support The Center’s #BeTheGeneration campaign,” Jacobs said.
“#BeTheGeneration is our effort to help reduce the number of new cases of HIV in San Diego through education, prevention, testing and treatment,” she said.
The campaign was created in response to medical research, including findings by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization that indicated the use of PrEP and PEP (pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis) can decrease a person’s risk of contracting HIV by up to 92 percent.
The Center’s campaign calls this new access to preventive medication “game changing,” and that these efforts are vital to stopping the epidemic, one that continues to “disproportionally impact the LGBT community.”
In order to #BeTheGeneration to end the epidemic, The Center will engage the community and its collaborative partners to:
• Stop the fear and stigma still too often associated with being HIV positive, which prevents people from testing and seeking treatment
• Educate all San Diegans about the full range of medical treatment options now available to prevent HIV infection, including PrEP and PEP medications
• Educate medical providers to make routine opt-out HIV testing more available
• Help those living with HIV to receive the medical care and medicines needed to keep viral loads down so they are able to live long, healthy lives – and are less likely to transmit the virus
• Advocate for public policies that give all people at risk for HIV full access to medical options to prevent and treat HIV
• Strengthen HIV prevention and education efforts, including routine, easier access to PrEP and condoms, so that people can manage their sexual health without fear or shame
To support The Center’s #BeTheGeneration campaign, simply dine out today Thursday, April 30 at any of the participating locations. To learn more about the campaign, visit http://www.thecentersd.org/programs/hiv-services/bethegeneration.html
For a full listing of restaurants participating in Dining Out for Life, visit http://www.thecentersd.org/events/dining-out-for-life-restaurants.html
