More than 20,000 Hungry Humanitarians to Dine Out For Life on April 24, 2025 in Support of DAP Health

Greater Palm Springs’ favorite culinary benefit returns for its 21^st year,
aiming to top the international leaderboard.
 

– Foodie philanthropists across Greater Palm Springs are gearing up for one of the most impactful dining events of the year. Dining Out For Life® — the beloved North American annual fundraiser that has raised nearly $100 million to support people living with or affected by HIV since 1991 — returns to the desert on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

For more than two decades, DAP Health has led the charge locally, rallying full-time residents, snowbirds, and tourists alike to dine with purpose. Participating restaurants, bars, cafés, and bakeries across the Coachella Valley will generously donate anywhere from 30% to 110% of their entire day’s and night’s sales — not just the profits — to support DAP Health’s lifesaving programs and wraparound services.

Thanks to the enthusiastic backing of local food and beverage establishments, volunteers, and supporters, Greater Palm Springs consistently ranks as one of the nation’s most successful Dining Out For Life markets. In 2024, 75 participating venues helped raise over $280,000 — outpacing cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. This year, with more than 20,000 diners expected, Greater Palm Springs is setting its sights on securing the number one spot nationwide.

“And it’s more than possible that we’ll achieve that for 2025,” says DAP Health Chief of Brand Marketing Steven Henke, who will be kicking off the day reporting live for the fifth consecutive year as a special correspondent for media partner NBC Palm Springs. “Our local restaurants participate at a higher level, giving more generously. Our eager local foodies show their civic pride by sporting multiple colorful ‘I Dined’ stickers as badges of honor throughout the day and evening.”

Powerful Event Partners

As always, DAP Health’s generous media sponsors are committed to spreading the good word far and wide, led by the aforementioned NBC Palm Springs. Others stepping up in a big way include The Desert Sun, Alpha Media, The Standard Magazine, GED Magazine, and KGAY radio.

DAP Health is excited to also announce new partnerships that will further amplify the event and drive diners to participating locations.

• For the first time, Visit Greater Palm Springs has signed on as a sponsor of the event, lending its keen insights around hospitality and tourism. In addition to promoting the event to local partners, the organization will be tapping its social media platforms and drive market billboards to ensure this year’s event is on everyone’s must-do list.
• The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce has joined the communal effort, and is activating its ambassadors to help grow event participation in the cities it represents.
• Finally, the social-first video content of local culinary social media influencers David Witzke and David Cox, of Dining With the Davids, will shine a bright light on participating locations while explaining how Dining Out For Life Greater Palm Springs makes a meaningful impact in our community.

“At Visit Greater Palm Springs, we believe a thriving community is built on compassion, inclusivity, and support for those in need,” says VGPS VP of Government and Industry Relations Davis Meyer. “That’s why we’re honored to be a partner in DAP Health’s Dining Out For Life Greater Palm Springs 2025. This initiative not only brings people together over great food, but also fuels critical programs that provide health care and support services to our neighbors. By uniting hospitality and philanthropy, we can help create a healthier, stronger, and more connected Greater Palm Springs for everyone.”

“Every year, Dining Out For Life is such a great, win-win-win way for our countless supporters to come out and engage in a philanthropic feast,” adds DAP Health CEO David Brinkman. “With the backing of three great new partnerships, plus the usual, much-appreciated endorsement from our many media partners, I fully expect this year to be the best one yet. So get those forks, spoons, and knives out and let’s go to town and eat our way to number one!”

Why DOFLGPS Matters

HIV is not over! According to the CDC — despite the relatively widespread availability of PrEP and PEP for the prevention of HIV — in 2022 in the U.S., there were 31,800 new HIV infections. For that same year, it is estimated that 1.2 million people over the age of 13 were living with HIV in America. Of those, only 87% were aware of their status, while 13% had not officially been tested and/or diagnosed.

Dining Out For Life is a national movement, with 50+ local HIV service organizations, 2,400+ participating restaurants, and 300,000+ diners raising over $4.5 million annually. Best of all, every dollar raised in Greater Palm Springs stays here, ensuring not only that those living with HIV receive the care and support they need, but that education and prevention efforts are protected and expanded.

How to Get Involved:

• Visit daphealth.org/dofl to find participating locations.
• Tell all your family, friends, and co-workers you are participating this year, and get them to join in on the philanthropic foodie fun.
• Make reservations early — tables fill up fast!
• Dine out as often as possible on Thursday, April 24 — breakfast, lunch, dinner, happy hour, and/or late-night.
• Encourage your favorite eateries to join in if they’ve not already decided to participate.