Northeast Florida AIDS Network (NFAN) is excited to present the 21st Annual Dining Out For Life® Jacksonville, benefiting the Mary H. Lewis Food Pantry on Thursday, April 16, 2026. We invite everyone to enjoy great food and drinks while supporting local participating businesses that support the community. When you dine out on April 16, your meal or drink becomes an act of kindness. Your support helps the Mary H. Lewis Food Pantry provide food assistance to low-income individuals living with HIV across Northeast Florida. In 2025, NFAN provided meals to 920 unduplicated individuals living with HIV, a 53% increase from 532 in 2024. With your help, we can feed even more people in need.
What is Dining Out For Life®? It is a yearly nationwide event held on a single day to raise funds, bringing communities together and highlighting the generosity of local restaurants, bakeries, bars, food trucks, ice cream shops, and breweries that support the mission and services of the Mary H. Lewis Food Pantry.
How It Works: On April 16, visit participating partners during their operating hours, buy a meal or drink, and they will generously donate at least 25% of that day’s sales to the Mary H. Lewis Food Pantry to help keep shelves stocked year-round.
We are excited to partner with Action News Jax, as our media partner. They are proudly supporting us with trusted community voices, Tenikka Hughes and Trevor Gibbs, who will serve as official Dining Out For Life Jacksonville spokespeople. Their involvement helps raise awareness about our event and emphasizes the critical issue of fighting hunger and addressing food insecurity among low-income individuals living with HIV throughout Northeast Florida.
Mark your calendar and invite friends and family to join us for Dining Out For Life® Jacksonville on Thursday, April 16.
Together, we can ensure that no one has to face hunger alone.
Follow us @DOFLJax | #DOFLJax #DineOutSaveLives #DiningOutForLife #nfanjax
nfan mary h. lewis food pantry
The NFAN Mary H. Lewis Food Pantry is a vital resource for individuals living with HIV in Northeast Florida. NFAN has made the pantry accessible to anyone with HIV, regardless of where they receive other services.
The pantry was founded by Mary H. Lewis, who began volunteering at NFAN in 1990. Recognizing a critical need, she launched the food pantry. Mary reached out to grocery stores and restaurants to collect as much food as possible and organized the pantry so individuals living with HIV could access it. This initiative was significant at the time because HIV medications often came with strict instructions regarding timing and consumption and could cause severe side effects. Having readily available food was essential for those managing their treatment.
Today, as grocery prices surge, the NFAN Mary H. Lewis Food Pantry is more in demand than ever, fulfilling an essential role in our community. With your generous support of Dining Out For Life® Jacksonville on Thursday, April 16, 2026, NFAN will continue its vital mission to ensure that no one living with HIV in Northeast Florida goes hungry.
Together, we can make a real difference.
ways to participate
partner
We do all the work! Whether you’re an event partner or a restaurant/bar partner, we offer comprehensive marketing services and collaborate with our media partner Action News Jax to amplify your brand’s reach across Northeast Florida. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of a distinguished network of businesses that share your vision for positively impacting the community.
DINE
Bring your family and friends to enjoy meals at participating restaurants and bars on Thursday, April 16, 2026, and feel proud knowing your support helps provide meals to those in need through NFAN Mary H. Lewis Food Pantry in Northeast Florida. Your participation makes a real difference in our community. Make plans now to join us as we #DineOutSaveLives
VOLUNTEER
Being a Dining Out For Life® Jacksonville Ambassador is a rewarding and enjoyable experience! Your role is vital to the event’s success. The task includes promoting the event, inviting family and friends to dine at your assigned location on Thursday, April 16, 2026, welcoming diners and encouraging them to participate in our raffle with a grand prize of a $1,000 Visa Gift Card. Click below to sign up!
DONATE
The NFAN Mary H. Lewis Food Pantry is a community-funded program at NFAN. Funds raised through Dining Out For Life, the event raffle, and donations help keep life-changing assistance available year-round to someone in need right here in Northeast Florida. Thank you for being so supportive.
Welcome to Dining Out For Life® Jacksonville’s Virtual Table with Fork and Spoon. It’s quick and easy. Donations can be accepted here at any time. Click the photo to be redirected to PayPal to place your secure donation.
Tell your friends and thank you for joining Fork and Spoon for Dining Out For Life® as we raise funds for Northeast Florida AIDS Network Mary H. Lewis Food Pantry.
Hungry for More? Check out the Dining Out For Life® Jacksonville website www.nfanjax.org/DOFLJax
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about Northeast Florida Aids Network (NFAN)
Northeast Florida AIDS Network (NFAN) is the longest-standing AIDS Service Organization (ASO) in Northeast Florida, established in 1989. Staff and volunteers serve Duval, Clay. St. Johns, and Nassau counties. Our mission is to provide compassionate leadership, services, and advocacy in meeting the prevention, health, spiritual, and social needs of individuals, families, and communities. As long as there is a need, NFAN is committed to our mission and stands ready to serve the community.
HIV Service Organization
Northeast Florida AIDS Network
Northeast Florida AIDS Network Address
2715 Oak Street
Jacksonville, FL 32205
