Last spring's Dining Out for Life event not only raised more than $270,000 in Greater Palm Springs, it was a "win-win" for the local community, DAP Health CEO David Brinkman said in a news release.
About 12,000 "local foodie philanthropists" turned out on the triple-digit-hot day April 27 for the breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night event for what turned out to be "one of the best showings ever for the Coachella Valley," DAP Health's news release said.
"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," Brinkman said in the news release. "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."
Proceeds from the day's activities went toward a worthy cause supported by DAP Health as local bars and restaurants donated up to 110% of the entire day's receipts.
Dining Out For Life (DOFL), established in 1991, is an annual fundraising across North America that has amassed more than $100 million in donations for HIV/AIDS service organizations that encourages HIV testing for those who do not know their status.
"FARM has been participating in DOFL since Mark and I took over [in 2017]," local restaurant owner Liz Ostoich said in the news release. "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."
Helping those with health needs in her community is a reason for Ostoich's good works.
"We believe that being part of a community means investing in people, lifestyle, and infrastructure," she said. "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."
"Palm Springs power diner" Melissa Lundgren has supported the cause by dining out for the past 12 years, the news release said.
"In the '80s and '90s, I lost two brothers and too many friends to HIV/AIDS," Lundgren said. "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."