Every day, people gather in restaurants to eat a meal and we think very little of the act unless you are a loud and proud farm-to-table evangelist.
But once a year, an international organization focused on a global problem opens space for something remarkable. When you partake in Dining Out for Life, you open your heart, and a city's at risk population gets a bit stronger.
DOLF is an annual event that raises funds for HIV/AIDS service organizations. Locally, the event supports
Grand Rapids' Red Project. DOFL is bigger than ever this year with 20 area restaurants participating, including Amore Trattoria Italiana, Bar Divani, Bistro at Courtyard Marriott, Bostwick Lake Inn, Brewery Vivant, Brick Road Pizza, Cheshire Grill, Cygnus 27, Gilly's at the B.O.B., Grand Rapids Brewing Company, Green Well Gastro Pub, Harmony Brewing Company, HopCat, Mangiamo!, McFadden's, Red Jet Café, Saburba, San Chez, and Stella's.
Due to the success of the Red Project, new programming was added in 2012 including the Clean Works Mobile Health Unit and the peer-run support group, Positive Choices, where people living with HIV can find community and counsel. In 2013, Red Project will be adding a new rapid HIV testing program delivering tests to where they are needed most. They will also be expanding their overdose response-training program. While controversial to some closed-minded individuals, you cannot deny the life-saving of these programs.
So as you look over that list and make your plans to attend Dining Out for Life in Grand Rapids, please remember that Red Project gets 25 percent of what you spend on a meal. So go ahead and order the dessert. It does a body good.
Want to make it 30 percent? An extra 5 percent will be donated from those who check in using the
Food Circles App.