Logos via each event/organization’s website.
TAMPA BAY | Empath Partners in Care is seeking community support ahead of Dining Out for Life Tampa Bay and The SMART Ride, two major fundraisers benefiting the organization’s work in the region.
DOFL raises roughly $4.5 million for HIV/AIDS organizations in North America each year, enlisting restaurants and more to donate a percentage of sales to nonprofits. It returns to Tampa Bay for the 18th year April 27.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit EPIC’s participation in SMART Ride, which will mark 20 years with its two-day, 165-trek from Miami to Key West Nov. 17-18. EPIC officially became a benefiting agency for SMART Ride 19, receiving $150,985 earlier this year.
“We at EPIC love this event,” EPIC Special Events Coordinator Ryan Young says of DOFL. “It gives us the time and opportunity to partner with many restaurants in our community that come together to deliver delicious food, share the mission of EPIC and the steadfast work that we do in the Tampa Bay area.
“We raised over $40,000 last year from the participating restaurants which goes right back into supporting the local community,” Young continues. This year more than 25 locations will participate, donating at least 10% of their sales to EPIC during specified hours, with some doing so all day.
View a full list of participating Tampa Bay locations here.
EPIC is also preparing for SMART Ride 20. The organization will once again field a cycling team and provide crew members to assist cyclists along the 165-mile route and is seeking volunteers for both roles.
Organizers will hold five SMART Ride info sessions throughout Tampa Bay for that reason. The first will be held April 19 at The Independent in Tampa and you can view details about each below.
April 19 | 4:30 pm–6:30 pm
The Independent, 5016 N. Florida Ave. in Tampa.
April 29 | 9:30 am-11:00 am
EPIC, 3050 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg
May 4 | 4:30 pm–7:30 pm
3 Daughter’s, 222 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg
May 20 | 9:30 am–11:00 am
EPIC, 4702 N. Florida Ave., Tampa
May 24 | 5:30 pm-8:30 pm
Grand Central Brewhouse, 2340 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
“We are honored to be a beneficiary of the 2023 SMART Ride,” EPIC Executive Director Joy Winheim said in a statement. “The funds raised will benefit the Tampa Bay community so we can provide more education and prevention services as well as ensure our HIV+ community members have what they need to live healthy lives.”
For more information about DOFL Tampa Bay, visit DineTB.org. Learn about The SMART Ride 20 at TheSMARTRide.org and all of EPIC’s services at MyEPIC.org.
