Most students wouldn't consider having a burger and fries a great way to benefit sexual assault victims, but most students have never Dined Out for Safety.

The annual fund-raiser put on by the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault is in its eighth year.

Dine Out for Safety is an event at restaurants all over Tucson. A percentage of the proceeds restaurants make that day go to the center, while community volunteers sell raffle tickets. All proceeds from the tickets benefit the cause.

"The restaurants contribute up to 20 percent of their proceeds," development officer Whitney Morgan said. "All of the money raised goes to provide client services ranging from mental health services, crisis services, and community education and outreach programs."

Dine Out involved 23 restaurants last year, to earn $88,000 to help sexual assault victims.

"This year, we have about 49 restaurants at 71 locations," Morgan said. "Our goal is to raise $125,000."

The event involves many athletes from the Arizona campus, with head women's basketball coach Joan Bonvicini serving as the honorary chair.

Bonvicini said she is honored to be named chair and sees college campuses as places that could be more informed.

"We believe in this program and in the work they're doing," Bonvicini said. "I think this is a big issue, particularly with college students, and I'm really honored to do this."

Along with the athletes participating, 11 fraternities and sororities across campus have involved themselves in the fund-raiser, with Delta Gamma as the lead force in organizing the greek chapters.

"We have six to eight chapters that aren't only buying raffle tickets but are also volunteering in restaurants as community hosts," Morgan said.

One of the sororities will even shut down its kitchen to get people to eat out.

"Our sorority isn't serving dinner tonight in hopes that all the girls will go out to eat at restaurants on that list," Kappa Kappa Gamma member Courtney Jones said.

Dine Out will take place at different locations throughout the day, with 75 to 80 percent of the events at the evening hour.

Jim Storey, host of goazcats.com and radio talent, will be at two locations throughout the day. He said he got involved in the cause on accident.

"I went to Dine Out by accident the past two years, and last year someone approached me about buying raffle tickets. And I told the volunteer I could do some advertising for them," Storey said.

Storey said it wasn't hard to get involved because it's such a great cause.

"I got involved because I think it is a fantastic organization that definitely doesn't have enough male representation."

The event is the only major fund-raiser the center has the entire year, and will apply toward community activity for the next year.

For a complete list of restaurants involved, go to dineoutforsafety.com or look for Dine Out for Safety signs outside local eateries.