Dining Out For Life turns dining into message of support and solidarity, April 24
Mon. April 21, 2025 9:06 AM by Ross Forman
dining out for life
photo credit // provided
Dining Out For Life on Thursday April 24 benefits Vivent Health + TPAN at a critical moment nationally
Organizers are bringing some lofty goals to the table, literally, for the 8th annual Dining Out For Life Chicago, a citywide event that turns dining out into a powerful act of solidarity, as many local restaurants will donate a portion of their proceeds to help fund essential HIV/AIDS care and prevention for those in need.
On Thursday, April 24, Vivent Health + TPAN are hoping to raise $50,000, which is almost double the amount raised in 2024.
“We’re focused on mobilizing our community of supporters to raise critical funds for HIV care and prevention services at Vivent Health + TPAN,” said Brandon Hill, PhD, Vivent Health’s President and CEO. “We’ll spotlight our newly expanded clinic in Edgewater, demonstrating how we’re transforming access to compassionate, high-quality care for people impacted by HIV. We want to create an easy and meaningful way for our community to come together—to show that our community still matters, and that HIV still matters.”
In Chicago, 85 percent of Vivent Health patients have no insurance or rely on Medicaid or Medicare and 43 percent live at or below the Federal Poverty Line.
The 2024 Dining Out For Life raised $28,000, bringing the seven-year total to more than $150,000.
Organizers cut the number of participating locations this year to focus on creating an entertaining dining experience with live music and drag performances at almost every location.
“Whether you’re out for a full dinner or just grabbing a drink, there’s something unforgettable waiting for you. We plan for each Dining Out For Life Chicago restaurant to be an experience,” Hill said. “Each Dining Out For Life Chicago location is more than a meal — it’s an experience, and a show of solidarity and community.”
One of the newcomers to Dining Out For Life Chicago is Big Gay Sal’s Pizza, located in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood.
Other restaurants, meanwhile, have been participants since the beginning. Anteprima has been a loyal event supporter, as well as Ed Debevic’s, Hopleaf and Lady Gregory’s.
Anteprima and Ed Debevic’s are the highest donors for this event.
“Dining Out For Life Chicago isn’t just a fundraiser — it’s a reminder to our community that HIV is still here,” Hill said. “This year, as we face potential funding challenges at the federal level, showing up matters more than ever. Your participation supports critical services at Vivent Health + TPAN and sends a powerful message of solidarity. Together, we make it clear: we’re still here, we still care, and we’re not backing down.”
Donations made through Dining Out For Life Chicago will support HIV clinical care and social services at the new Vivent Health + TPAN clinic in Edgewater. In September, it reopened in a renovated 15,000-square-foot space designed to deliver fully integrated services to patients and clients. “We offer comprehensive HIV primary care, PrEP medical care, and a wide range of supportive social services,” Hill said.
“We know Chicagoans have choices when it comes to healthcare. We’re here to offer another one—focused solely on providing exceptional HIV and prevention care, in a space where every person is treated with dignity and expertise.”
One of the most unforgettable and beloved moments each year is the pop-up drag cabaret featuring Muffy Fishbasket and Yuka Layme. “They light up the room with their larger-than-life personalities, show-stopping performances, and a whole lot of heart,” Hill said. “It’s always an unexpected delight for diners—one minute they’re enjoying dinner, the next they’re cheering and clapping to a full-on drag performance right at their table.
“This surprise element has become a signature part of Dining Out For Life Chicago. It not only adds fun and flair to the evening but also sparks conversations and deepens the sense of community and shared purpose. Muffy and Yuka help remind everyone that this event is about joy, visibility and solidarity—and that supporting HIV care can be both meaningful and full of celebration.”
This year’s Dining Out For Life Chicago also includes a raffle, featuring a two-night stay at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile. Raffle entries are $10 and a winner will be announced on April 25. Tickets can be purchased at https://secure.givelively.org/donate/tpa-network-inc/raffle-tickets-for-dining-out-for-life-2025.
This year’s Dining Out For Life comes at a critical moment nationally. The Trump administration has proposed eliminating the CDC’s Division of HIV Prevention, slashing $1.3 billion in federal funding. These cuts threaten to undo progress and disproportionately impact the communities Vivent Health + TPAN serves.
“These proposed cuts will set the fight against HIV back decades,” Hill said. “In these scary times, we must take back our right to health and happiness in a world that often denies us those things. Dining Out For Life is a positive, mood-boosting way anyone can support our neighbors and combat this catastrophic step backwards.”
Eric Roldan, owner of Marina’s Bistro, said: “We’re so excited for this event and to give back to the community. Last year we sold out in 20 minutes.”
On Thursday, April 24, Vivent Health + TPAN are hoping to raise $50,000, which is almost double the amount raised in 2024.
“We’re focused on mobilizing our community of supporters to raise critical funds for HIV care and prevention services at Vivent Health + TPAN,” said Brandon Hill, PhD, Vivent Health’s President and CEO. “We’ll spotlight our newly expanded clinic in Edgewater, demonstrating how we’re transforming access to compassionate, high-quality care for people impacted by HIV. We want to create an easy and meaningful way for our community to come together—to show that our community still matters, and that HIV still matters.”
In Chicago, 85 percent of Vivent Health patients have no insurance or rely on Medicaid or Medicare and 43 percent live at or below the Federal Poverty Line.
The 2024 Dining Out For Life raised $28,000, bringing the seven-year total to more than $150,000.
Organizers cut the number of participating locations this year to focus on creating an entertaining dining experience with live music and drag performances at almost every location.
“Whether you’re out for a full dinner or just grabbing a drink, there’s something unforgettable waiting for you. We plan for each Dining Out For Life Chicago restaurant to be an experience,” Hill said. “Each Dining Out For Life Chicago location is more than a meal — it’s an experience, and a show of solidarity and community.”
One of the newcomers to Dining Out For Life Chicago is Big Gay Sal’s Pizza, located in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood.
Other restaurants, meanwhile, have been participants since the beginning. Anteprima has been a loyal event supporter, as well as Ed Debevic’s, Hopleaf and Lady Gregory’s.
Anteprima and Ed Debevic’s are the highest donors for this event.
“Dining Out For Life Chicago isn’t just a fundraiser — it’s a reminder to our community that HIV is still here,” Hill said. “This year, as we face potential funding challenges at the federal level, showing up matters more than ever. Your participation supports critical services at Vivent Health + TPAN and sends a powerful message of solidarity. Together, we make it clear: we’re still here, we still care, and we’re not backing down.”
Donations made through Dining Out For Life Chicago will support HIV clinical care and social services at the new Vivent Health + TPAN clinic in Edgewater. In September, it reopened in a renovated 15,000-square-foot space designed to deliver fully integrated services to patients and clients. “We offer comprehensive HIV primary care, PrEP medical care, and a wide range of supportive social services,” Hill said.
“We know Chicagoans have choices when it comes to healthcare. We’re here to offer another one—focused solely on providing exceptional HIV and prevention care, in a space where every person is treated with dignity and expertise.”
One of the most unforgettable and beloved moments each year is the pop-up drag cabaret featuring Muffy Fishbasket and Yuka Layme. “They light up the room with their larger-than-life personalities, show-stopping performances, and a whole lot of heart,” Hill said. “It’s always an unexpected delight for diners—one minute they’re enjoying dinner, the next they’re cheering and clapping to a full-on drag performance right at their table.
“This surprise element has become a signature part of Dining Out For Life Chicago. It not only adds fun and flair to the evening but also sparks conversations and deepens the sense of community and shared purpose. Muffy and Yuka help remind everyone that this event is about joy, visibility and solidarity—and that supporting HIV care can be both meaningful and full of celebration.”
This year’s Dining Out For Life Chicago also includes a raffle, featuring a two-night stay at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile. Raffle entries are $10 and a winner will be announced on April 25. Tickets can be purchased at https://secure.givelively.org/donate/tpa-network-inc/raffle-tickets-for-dining-out-for-life-2025.
This year’s Dining Out For Life comes at a critical moment nationally. The Trump administration has proposed eliminating the CDC’s Division of HIV Prevention, slashing $1.3 billion in federal funding. These cuts threaten to undo progress and disproportionately impact the communities Vivent Health + TPAN serves.
“These proposed cuts will set the fight against HIV back decades,” Hill said. “In these scary times, we must take back our right to health and happiness in a world that often denies us those things. Dining Out For Life is a positive, mood-boosting way anyone can support our neighbors and combat this catastrophic step backwards.”
Eric Roldan, owner of Marina’s Bistro, said: “We’re so excited for this event and to give back to the community. Last year we sold out in 20 minutes.”