On Thursday, April 30, fighting HIV and AIDS in our community is as easy as picking up a menu. This spring, 80 of Vancouver Island’s best-loved restaurants come together to take part in Dining Out For Life, an annual fundraiser that supports island programs and services for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

One key area of support that directly benefits from Dining Out For Life is nutrition. “Nutrition plays a crucial role in keeping the effects of HIV and AIDS in check,” says Gill Scadeng, nutrition program coordinator at AIDS Vancouver Island. “It’s wonderful that people can come together over a great meal knowing they’re helping to provide nourishment and care to others in their community.”

Participating restaurants will donate 25% of food sales to AIDS Vancouver Island, an island-wide AIDS service organization.

“Dining Out For Life is a chance for us to raise awareness and acceptance of the disease and maybe someday no one will have to suffer,” says Greg Hays, co-owner of Café Brio, a Dining Out For Life participant since 2008. Find a list of participating restaurants at avi.org/dineout.