Food and philanthropy are two things the people of the Lowcountry do well. On April 26, the second annual Dining Out for Life event is combining these two strengths to raise money for the Roper St. Francis Ryan White Program — a federally funded program that helps coordinate comprehensive medical care for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Dining Out for Life is an annual fundraising event involving the generous participation of restaurants, volunteers and corporate sponsors. With the participation of more than 20 local restaurants last year, Dining Out For Life in Charleston raised nearly $45,000. This year, the RSF Ryan White Program goal is to recruit even more restaurants in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties. Participating restaurants have the option of donating 10, 25 or 50 percent of their sales.

“The majority of people know someone affected by HIV/AIDS,” said Ella Fleming, RSF Ryan White Program coordinator. “Joining this palate-satisfying fundraiser will help improve the quality and availability of primary healthcare for those with HIV/AIDS.”

All money raised through Dining Out for Life in Charleston will go to the RSF Ryan White Program’s Medication Endowment Fund, which has been established to provide emergency medication and medical care assistance to its patients.

 Among participating restaurants are:

• Joe Pasta
• Local Market & Cafe
• Midtown Bar and Grill
• OAK Steakhouse
• The Grocery
• Hunley's
• Muse Bar and Restaurant
• Five Loaves Cafe
• Blue Rose Cafe
• Santi's
• Fulton Five
• Hall's Chophouse
• The Macintosh

Federally-funded Ryan White programs have been established in many communities as a result of legislation to improve availability of care for low-income, uninsured and under-insured people with HIV/AIDS and their families. The programs honor the legacy of Ryan White, an Indiana teenager with hemophilia who contracted HIV through a blood transfusion. White died in 1990 after fighting against AIDS-related discrimination and championing efforts to educate the nation about the infectious disease.

For more information about Dining Out for Life and to become a participating restaurant, please visit www.diningoutforlife.com/charleston. For more information about the Ryan White Program at Roper St. Francis Healthcare, please visit, www.ryanwhiteofcharleston.org.