Wells Fargo’s David Bowik, Planning Committee member Laura Durakovich and Stop AIDS Project’s development director Christian Minchilio and ED Robert mcMullen at a Dining Out for Life kickoff party on April 12. Photo by Ri

On Thursday, April 26 all across San Francisco, friends will gather at restaurants and eateries to help raise money for the critical work of the STOP AIDS Project. The 6th annual event, Dining Out for Life, is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year - with thousands of hungry patrons eating at more than 75 participating businesses. Twenty-five percent of your food bill is donated to STOP AIDS Project to support HIV prevention and health promotion among gay, bisexual, and transgender men.
This unique fundraiser bridges the needs of a great organization with one thing that San Franciscans excel at - dining out. The best part is that there is a range of restaurants from the expensive to the economical and in almost every neighborhood.

“A lot of San Franciscans eat out on a regular basis,” said Christian Minchillo, development director of STOP AIDS Project. “Dining Out for Life gives them an opportunity to do that and make a difference at a partner restaurant.”

After dinner, the Dining Out for Life after-party will be held at local Mars Bar and Restaurant during their “Before Friday Funk” club at 798 Brannan and 7th Streets. The cover there is $5, and a portion of the door will also go to STOP AIDS Project. This is your chance to meet that hot guy you saw at the restaurant earlier in the night.
Together with patrons, restaurants, and volunteers, STOP AIDS raised $183,000 with top restaurant kudos going to La Colonial, Chaya, and Frisson. This year several businesses have stepped up to the plate to support STOP AIDS Project and Dining Out for Life including Wells Fargo, La Crema, Abbott Virology, CBS 5 / CW Bay Area, and SFWeekly.com.

Every year, STOP AIDS talks about HIV with more than 10,000 gay and bisexual men on the streets; reaches thousands of gay and bisexual men through workshops and community forums; and distributes one million condoms every year. To find a list of participating restaurants or more information about STOP AIDS Project, browse the website at StopAids.org.