Treat yourself to dinner—it’s for a good cause

Put down your pots and pans and do some good. In other words, Dine Out for Life

Vancouver may not have the Thursday nightlife of Toronto or Montreal. But this Thursday there’s a particularly good reason to eat out and enjoy a good meal. Two not-for-profit organizations that focus on supporting people living with HIV/AIDS, Friends For Life and A Loving Spoonful, have partnered with 100 restaurants from Whistler to Kitsilano for the 22^nd Dining Out For Life fundraiser. All of the participating restaurants will be donating 25 percent of their revenues from tonight to the two organizations. With 100 restaurants signed up, diners have plenty of choice, from the Cactus Club Cafes in English Bay and Yaletown, to our 2015 Restaurant of the Year Ask for Luigi, to all of the Trattorias in town and even Hawksworth.“Our goal this year is to raise $100,000, which we will split evenly between our two organizations,” says Lisa Martella, the executive director of A Loving Spoonful. “If we reach our goal and my organization receives $50,000, we can provide up to 14,084 nutritious meals to people with HIV/AIDS.” If a full stomach makes you feel fortunate and more charitable, there is also the option to make an extra donation to add to the restaurant’s 25 percent contibution. “It’s one of my favourite events we do because it is so easy—all you have to do is go out and eat.” So tonight, instead of staring blankly into your fridge, take a look at the participating restaurants and follow your gut to a charitable meal.When: Thursday, March 10 | Where: Participating Restaurants | Cost: Restaurant dependent