Dining to make a difference is a bit different itself this year

Popular A Taste for Life fundraiser is being presented with a twist in 2021

Photo: Regional HIV/AIDS Connection director of community relations, Martin McIntosh

IT’S BEEN A tough year for so many businesses and charitable organizations, not the least of which, local restaurants.

So, when Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC) thought about their annual A Taste for Life fundraiser for 2021, they knew it had to be different.

For the last 18 years, Londoners have been showing the love for RHAC and its clients by sharing a meal with work teams, friends or family at designated local restaurants on one special evening. RHAC’s restaurant partners have then been sharing that love by donating 25% of dining proceeds from that night to support those living with, at-risk for or affected by HIV in our community.

This year, RHAC isn’t asking its restaurant partners for anything except permission to promote them and celebrate their longstanding commitment and generosity.

Martin McIntosh, RHAC’s director of community relations, says RHAC is excited to honour local restaurants with no expectations or obligations, and is hopeful that Londoners will consider stepping up to help make up the difference.

“We couldn’t be more proud or grateful for the longstanding support of our restaurant partners, many of whom have been with us since the beginning,” says McIntosh. “We wouldn’t dream of putting any more pressure on them this year, and so we’re inviting our supporters to give online this year, just as they would have in-person at the restaurant table, to help us ensure we can continue to offer free or low cost programs to individuals in our community.”

In the past, RHAC has raised the majority of their proceeds from the A Taste for Life event through restaurant donations and direct donations on-site by diners.

This year’s event with a twist involves just two easy steps:

1: Dine at Home — Choose from the restaurant partners conveniently listed on the RHAC website and make a plan for takeout;

And…

2: Donate Online — Consider making a gift, just like many have in the past at a restaurant table, to help make change for those living with, at-risk for or affected by HIV.

The final twist, says McIntosh, is that Londoners have a full week to support the initiative, from April 19 to 25.

“RHAC clients need our love and support and so do local restaurants, so we thought, why not make a full week of it? At a time when so many of us are looking for ways to keep busy and connected, we’ve designed a full week to show our gratitude to our partners, facilitate fabulous dining for Londoners and, hopefully, gain even more support for our clients.”

With more than a dozen restaurants to choose from, and a list growing daily, dining and donating to make a difference has never been easier, or tastier.

So make a plan to dine at home and donate online, April 19 to 25. 

A Taste of Life is proudly supported by TD Bank Group

 

 

 

 

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This story was created by Content Studio, TreeTown Media’s commercial content division, on behalf of Regional HIV/AIDS Connection.