First Coast Restaurants Participate to Benefit Northeast Florida AIDS Network

On April 28, 2011, local restaurants in Jacksonville, Fla., will donate a percentage of their proceeds to fight the growing epidemic of AIDS on the First Coast. This 2011 Dining Out For Life (DOFL) event will benefit Northeast Florida AIDS Network (NFAN), a non-profit organization that serves the city’s more than 1,500 HIV and AIDS patients.

“The city of Jacksonville is ranked fifth in the state for the number of AIDS cases. Jacksonville’s documented cases have increased over the past year, while funding continues to decrease,” said Donna Fuchs, executive director at NFAN. “With the struggling economy, our community’s support is needed more than ever-especially at a time when many people believe the HIV crisis is no longer a crisis. Dining Out for Life provides needed support to Northeast Florida AIDS Network, allowing the agency to continue to serve more than 1,500 families each year.”

This will be Northeast Florida AIDS Network sixth year having Dining Out for Life in Jacksonville. The title sponsor for this year’s event is AHF Healthcare Center. Last year, 14 restaurants, including Secret Garden Café, Espeto Brazilian Steakhouse and Chew Restaurant, participated, raising more than $12,000.00.

OTHER 2011 participating restaurants are:

Espeto Brazilian Steakhouse; North Beach Bistro; Matthew’s Restaurant; Burrito Gallery; Biscottis; Pizza Palace on the Park; Pizza Palace Baymeadows; Secret Garden Café; Chew; The Sandwich Company; Zaitoon Mediterranean Grill; Three Layers; Restaurant Orsay; Taverna

“On behalf of Winn-Dixie’s 50,000 associates, I would like to encourage you to participate in the 2011 Dining Out for Life event. By joining this remarkable effort, you will bring hope and support to the thousands of men, women and children throughout northeast Florida who are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS,” said Chef Robert Tulko, Winn Dixie executive chef and Dining Out For Life spokesperson.

The Northeast Florida AIDS Network (NFAN) is a 501C(3) charitable organization that was founded in 1989 as a regional organization responsible for coordinating HIV/AIDS services in northeast Florida. Today, NFAN is a community-based service agency with the sole purpose of providing comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention, care and advocacy services and programs to those living in Duval, Clay, Baker, St. John's and Nassau counties. As an experienced AIDS agency, NFAN also serves as a partner in key statewide and national advocacy coalitions. For more information, call (904) 356-1612 or visit www.nfanjax.org.