Lucky Louisiana

Lake Charles, Louisiana is home to the only white sand inland beach on the Gulf Coast; waterfront parks; 75 festivals a year; and now, Dining Out for Life. On April 28, 2011, Lake Charles will be celebrating a second year of raising funds to go towards the Southwest Louisiana AIDS Council, with a variety of restaurants contributing to the cause. Options include food joints like Sweets & Treats, where you can go to satisfy your cookie cravings; or Cedars Greek & Lebanese Restaurant, to get some Eastern spice into your life. For a full list, go HERE!

One highlight is that both Steamboat Bill’s locations are participating. Steamboat Bill’s is a seafood restaurant that started with a single mom and a dream, and now has a location on Interstate 10 and another at Broad Street and Highway 14. Menu options include shrimp pistolette, crawfish pistolette, stuff shrimp, stuffed crabs, and more. Steamboat Bill’s will be donating 25% of sales to the fight against HIV/AIDS, and offers lunch and dinner. To see the full menu that would shame Bubba Gump, visit HERE.

And while you’re enjoying shrimp gumbo, know that you’re helping the Southwest Louisiana AIDS Council. Started in 1990, this group held an annual gala for over 15 years. They’ve raised over $45,000 which has gone towards assistance with food, medications, housing, and other services for people in Southwest Louisiana who are living with HIV or AIDS, and their families affected by the disease. They’ve replaced their gala with Dining Out for Life, a national fundraising event that joins cities across the country and into Canada in the fight against HIV/AIDS!