Philadelphia, PA
- Dining Out For Life, Philadelphia’s largest dining fundraiser, returns Thursday, April 19, 2018. The event was founded in Philadelphia in 1991 by Action Wellness (known then as ActionAIDS) to raise money to support those living with HIV and AIDS. Dining Out For Life is now replicated in over 60 cities across the United States and Canada and continues to provide life saving support for those living with the disease.
An estimated 30,000 of those living with HIV reside in the Greater Philadelphia Region (Philadelphia Department of Health). Philadelphians are being infected at a rate five times the national average, and roughly 20% of local residents infected with HIV are unaware of their condition (AIDS Fund Philly). Estimates suggest at least one third of all new HIV infections in the U.S. are individuals younger than 29, and the majority of young people are infected sexually (AIDS Fund Philly).
Local HIV and AIDS service organizations like Action Wellness rely on the funds raised by Dining Out For Life to provide Philadelphians in need with life saving care. Action Wellness offers services like medical case management, chronic illness treatment and prevention, free HIV and STD screenings, perinatal and family services, housing services, educational and vocational assistance, and more. Action Wellness currently serves over 4,000 clients annually through the efforts of over 400 dedicated volunteers and over 100 professional staff, working together to sustain and enhance the quality of life for the diverse community they serve.
"Clients who come to us have the least access to care. The money raised through Dining Out For Life allows Action Wellness to empower and assist our clients to have access to high quality HIV care. Without our help and this care, our clients would not survive.” Kevin J. Burns, Executive Director of Action Wellness
