PALM SPRINGS – In 2018, 75 local restaurants and bars participated in Dining Out for Life Greater Palm Springs raising $280,000, exceeding the amount raised in 2017 by $50,000 for client services at Desert AIDS Project.

As dining tables are set throughout Greater Palm Springs for Dining Out for Life 2019, organizers are poised for a banner year.

Dining Out for Life is a national campaign held each year on the last Thursday in April throughout the United States and Canada to raise funds for AIDS Service Organizations.

Participating restaurants in Greater Palm Springs committed to contributing 33 percent or more of their food, beverage, and liquor gross sales to support Desert AIDS Project.

“In 2018, there were 45 Dining Out for Life events throughout North America. More than 3,000 restaurants participated, and with the support of 4,000 volunteers and 400,000 diners, more than $4 million was raised to support local HIV services.” David Newcomb, president, Dining Out for Life International Board of Directors, said in a prepared statement.

Leading the way in fundraising last year were Spencer’s Restaurant, Lulu California Bistro and Trio as the top three fundraising restaurants in all of North America. Together, they raised a combined total of $61,679.

Residents were asked to “Make Three Meals Matter” at participating locations throughout the day and more than 10,000 residents responded, raising enough money to place Greater Palm Springs second in overall fundraising in North America.

Dining Out for Life is April 25, Mark Calendar

Dining on lobster at Spencer’s Restaurant

“You couldn’t go anywhere without seeing someone wearing a ‘badge of honor’ – the I Dined stickers given to diners at participating locations,” Darrell Tucci, chief development officer, for Desert AIDS Project said in a prepared statement.

“Only Denver, who had three times more participating restaurants, raised more funds last year,” Tucci said. He attended the North American Dining Out for Life Conference where results were announced. “To be the smallest market in population driving the second largest results is absolutely extraordinary and something we should all be proud of. Other markets have more participating restaurants, but no other market can boast the level of commitment shown by restaurants in Greater Palm Springs.”

Desert AIDS Project provides care for almost 5,000 patients and clients.

Dining Out for Life is April 25, Mark Calendar

Dining on Spencer’s Restaurant patio

“At DAP, our goal and our specialty is helping people achieve overall health,” Desert AIDS Project CEO David Brinkman, said in a prepared statement. “And, thanks to our history, our team, our status as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and a community in action, we have the ability to help more people who need it with the help of business leaders who choose to participate in Dining Out for Life.

Desert AIDS Project’s FQHC status has led to a dramatic increase in patients in its care that has severely strained the existing facilities, Brinkman said.

DAP recently launched its capital campaign, D.A.P. Vision 2020, which when fully funded, will enable the organization to double the number of patients and clients it serves. You can read more about Desert AIDS Project’s bold vision for the future of healthcare in the Coachella Valley by clicking here.

Image Sources

  • Lobster at Spencer’s: Stephen Boyd,, Spencer's
  • Spencer’s patio: Stephen Boyd, Spencer's
  • Spencer’s Patio: Stephen Boyd, Spencer's