Early tabulating seems to suggest that the 2010 Dining Out For Life event benefitting AIDS Service Association of Pinellas was a huge success.
So far envelope donations from the April 29 fundraiser have more than doubled from 2009, according to ASAP Marketing Coordinator Anthony Barros.
“This year the ambassadors were very competitive and aggressive and it’s paying off,” Barros said.
More than $20,000 was raised by donations alone. Restaurant percentages have not yet been calculated.
The Dining Out for Life Event is a nationwide effort, but money that is raised locally stays local. Each of the 65 restaurants that participated in Tampa Bay donated 25% of their sales to ASAP and diners were presented an opportunity to donate more cash by ambassadors, who represented different organizations throughout the community.
“I think Tampa Bay is getting it,” Barros said of the DOFL efforts. “It usually takes a year or two for people to catch on to what this event is and I have to credit our ambassadors and the generosity of our restaurants. The ambassadors truly fill those restaurants.”
Barros said he couldn’t release which ambassador or restaurant raised the most money, but the largest envelope donation from a single restaurant totaled $2,200.
Many diners were encouraged to participate thanks to advertisements running on local television stations. Bright House Networks was a major sponsor this year as was CW44.
“Commercials ran constantly and that obviously raised awareness,” Barros said. “Ambassadors also put invitations on Facebook, which really helped pull people in.”
The money raised will assist ASAP’s client services, which includes keeping its food pantry well stocked, assisting clients with medical co-pays and providing a monthly client dinner.
“More than 600 people use our pantry and feeding that many people year-round costs a lot of money,” Barros said.
While ASAP’s non-profit status allows it to provide case management services only in Pinellas County, Barros said its many other services are utilized by people on both sides of Tampa Bay. Hamburger Mary’s in Ybor City had one of the largest crowds during the event and every single restaurant in Gulfport participated this year, according to Barros.
“We service both Pinellas and Hillsborough counties,” he said. “And restaurants in Hillsborough County are really coming on board.”
Barros added that he hopes to have at least 100 area restaurants participate in 2011.
“One of the best things restaurant owners can do is contact us and say they want to come on board,” Barros said. “We approach restaurants, but it can take awhile to find the right person to speak with and to bring them on board. If a restaurant wants to help our cause, we encourage them to contact me.”
This year was the fourth time Tampa Bay participated in DOFL and Barros promises to bring it back again next year.
“We are thrilled with the response and people have been amazingly generous,” he said. “We truly appreciate the support.”
For more information on Dining Out For Life or to sign on as an ambassador or participating restaurant, contact Barros at 727-328-3268.
