Here’s a great excuse to eat out! On Thursday, April 24, restaurants around Fort

Lauderdale will donate at least a quarter of the night’s proceeds to men, women and children with HIV/AIDS. It’s part of Dining Out for Life. To participate, all you have to do is eat breakfast, lunch or dinner at one of the participating restaurants and that establishment will donate a portion of your check back to Broward House.

Broward House is South Florida’s oldest and largest HIV/AIDS community service organization with 15 locations throughout Broward County. It provides medical care, substance abuse and mental health counseling, and, in some cases, housing, to more than 6,000 Florida residents yearly.

At least 15 restaurants are stepping up to the plate this year. One restaurant, JMarks, is donating 100 percent of its proceeds to Broward House. You can see the entire list of participating restaurants below. Keep checking the list as it gets closer to the 24th, as more restaurants are expected to sign on.

This year’s spokesperson is Chef Chad Thilborger, author of “A Whole Heap of Goodness.”

“I’m proud to a part of this event,” he said. “When you think about it, Dining Out for Life is really a no-brainer. All you have to do is choose a restaurant on the list and eat there on April 24;I can’t think of an easier way to help! I salute all of the restaurants that are taking part and helping those in our community.”

Fort Lauderdale is just one of many cities around the world taking part in this international night of fundraising. For more information about how you can participate, log on to www.diningoutsouthflorida.com.