Dining Out for Life takes place on Thursday, April 24

Press release

The Western North Carolina AIDS Project’s (WNCAP) 12th annual Dining Out for Life® benefit will take place on April 24th in Asheville and the surrounding communities. The acclaimed national fundraiser, has raised over 30 million dollars for AIDS service organizations across the country and in Canada since it began. Locally, over 110 fine dining restaurants will generously donate 20% of their gross sales that day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In return, there will be an intense marketing campaign to increase diner traffic in each restaurant through our printed media ads, social media and with PSAs on local TV and radio stations. “It’s a day full of true community spirit” says Harry Brown, Chairperson for the event. Friends, clients, co-workers and families gather at their favorite restaurant or visit a new one, and simply by eating out, are making a donation to WNCAP. It’s a win-win situation for everyone”. The funds raised during Dining Out for Life® directly support WNCAP’s vital community work. Currently, more than 450 clients are receiving free HIV/AIDS related care with thousands more provided with free prevention programs to suppress the further spread of HIV.

WNCAP provides services to 18 counties across the region, and with the addition of Madison County this year you can now enjoy your meals at restaurants in 8 of these counties. Last year event raised $165,000, thanks to the generosity of our Presenting Sponsor, Prestige Subaru, our amazing restaurants and volunteers, plus extra donations from over 11,000 diners in WNC. The Asheville fundraiser ranks 5th in the nation in actual dollars raised out of 55 cities producing the event, across the country and in Canada. For a list of participating restaurants visit wncap.org/dofl.

WNCAP is busy putting together a team of over 250 enthusiastic volunteers needed to support this exciting event. “We will have a person at each restaurant for each meal called Ambassadors” explains Chris Winebrenner, WNCAP’s Volunteer Coordinator. They will be attending a training party for volunteers and be assigned at one of their favorite restaurants. It’s a fun day for our volunteers as they encourage their friends, clients , family and co-workers to eat at their restaurant that day. Simply by donating a few hours of their time, they are making a difference in the life of people living with HIV/AIDS”. If you would like to be one of this year’s ambassadors, please contact Chris at 828-252-7489 or www.wncap.org/dofl.