Nearly 70 Nashville Restaurants Sign On for Dining Out for Life on May 1
The annual Nashville CARES fundraiser, set for May 1, has drawn almost 70 participating restaurants, more than last year, with some adding special dishes and alternate dates.
By Brianna Jackson ·
With a little less than a month to go, Dining Out for Life, the major fundraiser for Nashville CARES, has drawn a strong response from local restaurants. Almost 70 establishments have signed up for the May 1 event, a notable increase over last year's roster. The proceeds support the organization's services for people in the community living with HIV and AIDS.
Every participating restaurant has committed to donating at least 25 percent of its sales that day to Nashville CARES. Dozens have pledged more, giving 50 percent, 75 percent or all of their receipts to the cause.
Although the fundraiser has been running for decades, staff and restaurants are still finding new ways to take part. Cafe Cheeserie and Noko plan to center their donations on a special dish, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the fundraiser. Next door to Noko, Kase x Noko is offering a seating for Dining Out for Life participants at its omakase service on Monday, May 5, a day of the week when the restaurant is normally closed.
A few other restaurants have chosen different dates so diners can spread out their participation. Miel will give 50 percent of dining receipts on Wednesday, April 30. The Lipstick Lounge will bring back its annual Dining Out for Life brunch on Saturday, May 3, donating 100 percent of food sales to Nashville CARES.
Organizers are continually updating the restaurant list on the event website, where it can be sorted several ways. Diners can use it to choose a restaurant by neighborhood or time of day, or to find the options that direct the most money to the cause.
The event also relies on volunteer hosts, and anyone may sign up. More than two dozen have already stepped forward. A host's only task is to invite friends and contacts to dine together at a particular restaurant during the event. Hosts do not pay for the gathering or handle cleanup. People who want to host, or who want to suggest a favorite restaurant, can fill out a short online questionnaire, and a staff member will follow up.
There is an added incentive for those who sign up quickly. Anyone who signs up with a restaurant by noon on April 4 will be entered in a drawing for two seats at a Sunday Supper on April 13 with Chef Arnold Myint at International Market. The dinner celebrates Thai New Year, and the seats are valued at $110 each. Myint is a longtime supporter of Dining Out for Life and Nashville CARES and set the seats aside for the drawing.
Whether as hosts or guests, diners can support a nonprofit that has served Middle Tennessee for 40 years by eating out on May 1.
Originally published by News Media House · Source: Nashville Scene
