Western North Carolina AIDS Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is working to expand Dining Out For Life — a nationwide fundraiser for HIV prevention and care — into the Highlands and Cashiers areas. The goal is to raise funds for WNCAP’s outreach and education initiatives, production supplies and programs.
The 24th annual Dining Out For Life fundraiser, presented by Fred Anderson’s Prestige Subaru, will take place April 30 across the U.S. and Canada. Participating venues are paired with a volunteer ambassador who helps promote the event within their network and encourages additional customer donations. In return for the added exposure and increased business, each venue donates between 5% and 20% of the day’s sales.
“Our goal is to get as close to 100 participating restaurants as possible,” said WNCAP Development Director Bellamy Crawford. “At the height of its success, we had between 100 and 120 restaurants participating and then COVID hit.”
Currently 30 venues have signed on, with 15 more in ongoing discussions. Participants range from restaurants and breweries to coffee shops and bakeries, including Jettie Rae’s, Vinnie’s Italian, Sunny Point Cafe, Pomodoros Greek and Italian Cafe and RendezVous.
The fundraiser has expanded beyond the Asheville area to Hendersonville, Brevard, Highlands, Cashiers, Waynesville and Black Mountain.
Crawford said the organization needs the support of the Western North Carolina community more than ever due to reductions in federal funding for nonprofits like WNCAP
“Because of the loss of funding, especially within research, there will definitely be a surge in the number of cases of HIV transmission over the next couple years,” said Crawford. “One of the most important aspects of dining out for life is raising awareness about the ongoing and increased critical need for HIV care and prevention support and funding for our programs and research.”
Serving 18 counties across Western North Carolina, WNCAP provides medical case management, peer support, pharmaceutical and housing assistance, outreach education and harm reduction for people living with HIV. The organization also delivers food and medication to rural, homebound clients and offers transportation to and from appointments.
“For 40 years, WNCAP has been providing care and support to people living with HIV, and I’m proud of how our work has grown to meet the evolving needs of our community,” said WNCAP CEO Antonio Del Toro.
WNCAP is currently seeking venues in Highlands and Cashiers to participate in Dining Out For Life. Several local restaurants participated in the event in the years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Venues in Fletcher, Sylva and Franklin are also encouraged to volunteer.
“Highlands is a really beautiful area, and we would love to be involved with helping to highlight restaurants in the area and really build back our relationship with them,” said Bellamy.
Any interested restaurants should reach out to Crawford at bcrawford@wncap.org.
- Mitch Stone
reporter@highlandsnews.com