“Mommmmm, what’s for dinner?”

Those words send shivers up my spine. My dread is twofold: 1.) chopping onions make my eyes tear up like I’m watching Marley and Me 2.) unless I am making macaroni and cheese with a side of pop tarts, my answer will probably not be greeted with enthusiasm. But on Thursday the entire family can happily feast on their favorite foods at the annual Dining Out For Life event.

From St. Charles to South County, nearly 140 local restaurants will be donating between 25% and 100% of your check to support the work of St. Louis Effort for AIDS. All you have to do is enjoy a meal at a participating restaurant. Fill up with a hearty breakfast before work at Rooster Cafe, grab a tasty lunch at Ozzie’s Restaurant & Sports Bar or treat the family to an award-winning slice of heaven at Pi Pizzeria. Dining Out For Life’s website has a complete list of participating restaurants and whether breakfast, lunch, dinner or all of the meals are included in the event. You can even make reservations online at some establishments.

Since it’s inception in 1990, Dining Out For Life has raised over $2.3 million. More than 3,500 restaurants in the United States and Canada are participating in this year’s event.

Money raised in our area will benefit the programs and services of the city’s oldest AIDS Service Organization, Saint Louis Effort for AIDS. This non-profit organization supplies testing, prevention education, community outreach programs and comprehensive support services for thousands of people each year. In 2010, the local chapter of Effort for AIDS provided direct services to over 6,000 individuals and indirect services to 10,000 individuals in the metro area.

If you are one of those unlucky saps (I’m sorry!) who is forced to cook on Thursday, you can still help in the fight against AIDS by making a donation by clicking here.

 By Andrea Wilson, Events Blogger for SmartParenting