Dining out doesn’t always have to be for a special occasion; it can also be for a good cause. This Thursday evening, March 10, restaurants throughout the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area will participate in the ninth annual Dining Out For Life.
Laurent Janowsky, owner of La Bergerie, is participating once again, and said, “It’s always a great cause.
“Every year it’s growing and growing.”
Earlier this week, he already had 80 diners booked; he estimates that he will serve over 130 people. A group of people from Goodwin House alone has booked a party of 20. Janowsky has prepared a special three-course dinner for the evening; the cost is $35.
Janowsky will donate 50 percent of all profits made that evening to Food & Friends.
Established in 1988, Food & Friends is the area’s only organization providing home-delivered meals, groceries, nutrition counseling and friendship to people living with HIV/AIDS and other life-challenging illness.
“Dining Out for Life makes raising funds for people with HIV/AIDS and other life-challenging illnesses such as cancer and Alzheimer’s as easy as going out to dinner,” said Craig Shniderman, Food & Friends’ executive director. “A big event like this reminds people that there is great need in our community to help keep people healthy.”
To participate, restaurants donate between 25 percent and 100 percent. Carlyle Grand Café is one of three restaurants donating 100 percent. Lisa Butenhoff, communications manager for Food & Friends, said that Carlyle also donates $.25 from every dessert sold throughout the year.
Tempo Restaurant is also participating, as is the Fish Market. They both contribute 25 percent. They are not planning any special menu but expect a big crowd.
Butenhoff said that they hope to raise $300,000 from this event. She said that one-third of the money comes from diners who contribute extra money when they complete the entry for their raffle ticket; this year the grand prize is two tickets from Jet Blue.
“We have 150 restaurants this year,” Butenhoff. “It keeps building and restaurants have such positive results. Others hear the buzz and want to join in. Most of the restaurants are booked that night.”