Sponsored Sponsored content 7 Reasons to Dine Out For Life on April 23

Desert food lovers who are charitably inclined have a delicious opportunity to make a big difference this spring. On Thursday, April 23, restaurants, cafés, bars, and bakeries across the Coachella Valley will participate in Dining Out For Life Greater Palm Springs, donating a portion of their sales to support HIV care and other essential health services provided by DAP Health.

The event is presented on behalf of DAP Health by Desert Care Network, with the Greater Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce and the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce stepping up as community partners.

The concept is simple: enjoy a meal (or two, or three) and make it/them matter when a percentage of your bill goes directly toward helping people in the community access health care.

Below are seven great reasons to participate.

1. Your meal helps support lifesaving health care

Dining Out For Life is more than a restaurant outing — it’s a way to support essential services for people living with or affected by HIV. Funds raised help support programs such as HIV specialty care, free HIV testing, free prevention services like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), mental health services, dental care, housing and transportation assistance, and other supportive services.

These programs help ensure that people in the region have what they need regardless of lack of insurance or other barriers.

2. It costs you nothing extra to participate

One of the best parts of Dining Out For Life is how easy it is to help. Participating restaurants pledge between 33% and 100% of their sales for the day and/or evening, and those funds are donated to DAP Health.

That means diners don’t need to pay anything additional beyond their normal meal — they just need to choose a participating restaurant and enjoy.

3. You’re supporting local restaurants and local care

Dining Out For Life brings together two pillars of the community: local restaurants and local health care providers. Restaurants donate part of their sales, and diners show their support by coming out to eat.

The funds raised stay right here in the region. Dining Out For Life events across North America have raised more than $100 million since 1991, with each participating city directing funds to its local HIV service organizations.

4. The Coachella Valley is a national leader in the event

In recent years, Greater Palm Springs has become one of the top fundraising Dining Out For Life cities in North America.

In 2025 alone, 65 establishments participated, helping to raise nearly $240,000 from more than 20,000 diners across the desert.

By participating this year, diners help keep the Coachella Valley among the leading communities supporting HIV care.

5. You can participate all day long

Dining Out For Life isn’t limited to dinner. Community members can participate by visiting restaurants throughout the day for:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Happy hour
• Dinner
• Late-night bites
• Just coffee or cocktails

With so many options, supporters can make a full day of dining while supporting a great cause.

6. It helps raise awareness about HIV prevention

Dining Out For Life is also an opportunity to spread awareness about HIV prevention and treatment.

Today, effective treatment allows people living with HIV to achieve an undetectable viral load, meaning the virus cannot be transmitted sexually — a concept known as U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable).

Preventive medications like PrEP can also help prevent HIV transmission before exposure from someone not in treatment (and therefore not U=U) occurs.

Events like Dining Out For Life help ensure that more people know about these life-changing tools.

7. It’s a chance to celebrate community

Dining Out For Life highlights the power of community collaboration. Local restaurants, diners, media partners, and community organizations all come together to support a shared goal: ensuring access to health care.

Some restaurants go above and beyond. For example, Palm Springs’ Townie Bagels has donated 110% of its sales during the event each year it has taken part.

Dining Out For Life shows how businesses and community members can work together to create meaningful impact.

How to take part

Donating to Dining Out For Life could not be simpler:

• Choose a participating restaurant
• Make a reservation, if needed
• Express your participation on social media to encourage others to engage
• Invite friends, family, and/or coworkers
• Enjoy a meal knowing you’re helping your community
• Better yet, visit multiple restaurants throughout the day to maximize your impact.

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Details: Dining Out For Life Greater Palm Springs takes place Thursday, April 23 — all day and night. For more information and a list of participating restaurants, visit daphealth.org/dofl.

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