LEXINGTON, Ky. — A leading HIV/AIDS awareness and advocacy group announced the return of their signature fundraiser in Lexington. Dining Out for Life returns on Thursday, Sept. 15. It is a major fundraising event for AVOL, the leading advocate in central and eastern Kentucky for HIV awareness for over 30 years. AVOL is partneriing with nearly 50 of Lexington’s best restaurants who will be donating a minimum of 25 percent of sales in support of the nonprofit’s mission to collaborate with the communities it serves to end HIV throughout the commonwealth.

What You Need To Know

  • AVOL's signature restaurant fundraiser is on Sept. 15

  • Nearly 50 restaurants across the city will donate a portion of their sales to support AVOL

  • For over 30 years, AVOL has been a leading advocate for HIV awareness in central and eastern Kentucky

  • AVOL also celebrated many accomplishments during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in providing housing stability for those living with HIV

“Our team is humbled and truly grateful to our restaurant partners, volunteers, and the legions of Lexingtonians who come out year after year in support of Dining Out For Life,” said AVOL’s Executive Director Jon Parker. “Our community’s commitment to making Lexington a better place for all is something we can all be proud of.” 

A full list of participating restaurants can be found on the Dine Out Lex website, which includes information about what meals are designated for the fundraiser and how much of the proceeds are being donated. Participating restaurants include Lexington favorites such as Bourbon N’ Toulouse, North Lime Donuts and Carson’s Food and Drink.

In a news release announcing the return of the fundraiser, AVOL celebrated many of their accomplishments during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in providing needed housing stability for those living with HIV. The list of accomplishments included:

$1.1 million of assistance provided to increase housing stability

2,002 payments made to prevent evictions

276 households assisted with rent, mortgage or utility payments

35 percent increase in the number of long-term housing subsidies provided to medically vulnerable people

Additionally, AVOL shared a new endeavor with Winterwood, Inc. to use a low-income housing tax credit allocation to build Stonewall Terrace, a 26-unit community residence serving low-income individuals who are medically vulnerable in Lexington. Stonewall Terrace will serve as headquarters for AVOL Kentucky’s operations moving forward.

AVOL was created by Lexington’s LGBT community. Originally the Gay and Lesbian Services Organization, it was later incorporated as “AIDS Voluteers of Lexington” in 1988 and expanded to 72 counties in Kentucky. AVOL works to prevent the spread of HIV through HIV testing and connecting people at-risk to prevention supplies, medical intervention (PrEP), and community support.

For more information on Dining Out For Life, please visit www.dineoutlex.com and to learn more about AVOL Kentucky and Stonewall Terrace, please visit www.AVOLKY.org.

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