What is Dining Out For Life?

Dining Out For Life is a nationwide fundraising event that takes place in cities across the United States and Canada. The concept is simple: On a designated day, participating restaurants agree to donate a percentage of their sales to local organizations that provide essential services for individuals living with or at risk of HIV/AIDS. These donations help fund medical care, housing assistance, food programs, and advocacy efforts that improve the lives of those living with HIV.

How It Works

Each year, local nonprofit organizations (Aliveness Project in Minnesota) partner with restaurants willing to give back. Diners can participate by visiting any of these restaurants on the event day and ordering a meal as they normally would. A portion of their bill then goes directly to HIV-related services, making it an effortless way to support a meaningful cause. Some cities even host special events, offer takeout options, or include additional ways to contribute, such as direct donations.

5 ways to participate

• 20% off Tuesdays: Donate $30 or more during the 2025 Dining Out For Life event to receive a 20% off Tuesdays card in the mail. These supportive restaurants are offering cardholders 20% off food orders on Tuesdays for a full year!
• Dine: On Thursday, April 24, 2025, dine out at a participating restaurant and a percentage of your bill will be donated to the Aliveness Project to promote health and wellness for communities most impacted by HIV/AIDS.
• Give: Donate directly and help people living with HIV lead healthy, self-directed lives through the services of the Aliveness Project. DONATE HERE
• Volunteer: Become an Ambassador today! Invite your friends, family, and coworkers to participate in Dining Out For Life and encourage them to give. MORE INFO
• Table Captains: We invite you to a new event participation experience. RSVP to be a Table Captain and we’ll book a reservation for your dinner party with a participating restaurant.

Join Us for Dining Out For Life!

Whether you’re a foodie, an advocate, or someone who cares about giving back, Dining Out For Life is an opportunity to make a difference in your community. Your meal can help provide essential services and bring us closer to a future without HIV. So mark your calendar, make a reservation, and dine out for a cause!

For more information and to find participating restaurants near you, visit Dining Out For Life.

“If you don’t see yourself in the culture that surrounds you, it tends to make you crazy.” So Patrick tells us stories of his life, Seeing ourselves in his stories – we feel validated, and less crazy. So local artist and provocateur Patrick Scully tells us stories of his life. For decades Patrick has pushed the edge, being out as a Gay man, and HIV+ since 1985″ – Patrick Scully

Where: Aliveness Project 3808 Nicollet Ave.

When: March 7, Friday, 7 pm

Cost: Free

About the Show: A Few Tales – Fairy & Others is Patrick Scully, telling stories from his life. Stories about everything, including testing positive for HIV, living with HIV, telling the world about it on tv, living as an out Gay artist and activist, speaking truth to power…and more.

The structure of “A Few Tales…” is based on TV’s “Jeopardy”. Behind each box is a story. The audience determines the flow of the show, choosing box by box among 6 categories, with 5 choices in each category to determine the evening’s stories. The 6 categories across the top are things like: Resisting Authority, Making Art about My Life, Being Gay & HIV+, and Creating Spaces. The categories at the Aliveness show will be created specifically for Aliveness. The vertical choices in each category – 5 decades: 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s.

About Patrick Scully: As an activist: Over the years, he’s challenged institutions from the Science Museum of MN, Rainbow Health (and MAP before that), the MN Dept of Health, the Mpls StarTribune, Minnesota Public Radio, Twin Cities Public Televison, to Target.

As an artist: No artist in Minnesoata has done more to bring stories about living with HIV to the public, and to the communities living with HIV.

Among the works he’s created are::

• Thrive! (celebrating several decades of living with HIV),
• Queer Thinking (the complexities of being Gay and HIV+),
• Too Soon Lost (remembering friends lost to AIDS)
• A Faerie Home Companion (being gay and HIV+ in rural MN)
• Unsafe Unsuited (dancing in the AIDS epidemic)
• posiT.V. (a video about living with HIV)

Give Now!

Early giving has begun! We have the knowledge and tools to End HIV in Minnesota, but we can’t do it without you.

We hope you’ll consider a donation of $5, $50, $250, or more this November to support folks living with HIV and prevent new transmissions!

Our goal this year is to raise $18,000 for essential HIV services here in MN.

Donation today with the button below and you can help more members like Miss B! 

Miss B has been a cherished part of The Aliveness Project community for as long as anyone can remember. She is truly the princess of Aliveness. Miss B is a vibrant transwoman who has been living with HIV for over 33 years, with a personality that lights up every room she enters. Whether it’s her bold, star-studded outfits, complete with color-coordinated accessories and sparkly eyebrows, or her infectious laughter that you can hear from a mile away, Miss B brings joy wherever she goes.

Miss B first heard about The Aliveness Project back in 1984, before its official opening, through flyers hanging at the Basilica and St. Stephen’s Church (now Agate). She’s seen and experienced a lot in her life—having lived in cities like San Francisco, Milwaukee, and Chicago—but she insists that there’s no place like Minneapolis. “Minneapolis is the place where you can start over,” she says. “We’re the best state that gives out help. We’re number one at doing it.”

Earlier this year, Miss B faced a stressful situation when she received notice that she had to move out of her apartment by the end of July. She reached out to the Aliveness Project’s walk-in clinic in June, and that’s when her journey with the housing team began. It quickly became clear that Miss B needed extra support to live independently and safely. That’s when the team at Aliveness stepped in to expedite the process and help her find a new home.

The team took Miss B on a tour of Grace House, a beautiful Clare Housing residence not too far from Aliveness, where she could receive on-site care and services. The moment she stepped inside, she knew it was the right place for her. The house, which offers communal living with 24-hour staff, prepared meals, and housekeeping services, seemed like a dream come true.

Moving day was a big one for Miss B and the Aliveness housing team. Our staff Michelle, Nik, Bill, and even Michelle’s kids pitched in to help her transition to her new home. “Bill did A LOT of work. He was really, really sweaty,” Miss B recalls with a laugh. “Nik was doing a lot too.” It was a team effort, and Miss B felt every bit of their care and support.

Now settled in her new place, Miss B has three housemates and a caring staff who assist her with medication and keeping her home clean. “We have pep talks and stuff,” she says, reflecting on the warm and supportive environment she’s found at Grace House.

Despite the challenges she’s faced, Miss B’s spirit remains unbreakable. She’s grateful for the help she’s received from The Aliveness Project and proud to be part of a community that’s always there for her. “I was worried about being out of my place, but I got out thanks to The Aliveness Project,” she says with a smile. Miss B’s story is a testament to her resilience, her zest for life, and the unwavering support she’s found in her Aliveness family.This Give to the Max Day on November 21, we invite you to support The Aliveness Project and help us continue providing critical services to community members like Miss B. Your generous contribution ensures that we can keep offering housing support, healthcare, and a loving community to those who need it most. Join us in making a difference. Donate today and be a part of Miss B’s journey and many others like hers.

Aliveness Gaming is administered through The Membership Advisory Committee (The MAC). From 1996 to 2023 Gaming has donated over $2.4 million dollars to The Aliveness Project and 2024 is proving to be another great year with 8 venues and 27 employees.  In August Gaming set a record for the highest monthly contribution ever of $48,000.

The growth in Aliveness Gaming signifies an innovative approach to financial sustainability for Aliveness allowing reinvestment into the agency’s mission and future projects. This multifaceted approach not only enhances the range of services offered but also strengthens the organization’s overall impact. These are exciting times for Aliveness, with the expansion of our membership and services, the opening of our Health Clinic in the next month and Pharmacy in January 2025. Aliveness Gaming and The MAC are committed to continued growth and our desire to contribute to the well being of our Agency, its Mission and the greater community.

Joe Watters | President of The MAC

Starting Tuesday, August 20 the AIDSLine, Every Penny Counts, and Benefits Counseling, which were once housed at Rainbow Health, have now found their new home at Aliveness Project, to ensure the continuity of essential services for the community.

This move aligns with the commitment of both organizations to support individuals affected by and living with HIV by providing linkage to care, financial support, and guidance on accessing benefits. The transition to Aliveness Project allows these services to remain accessible and operational, maintaining the support systems vital for our community’s well-being.

Program Updates:  

AIDSLine
Hours: 9am – 4pm
Call: 612-373-2437
Email: AIDSLine@aliveness.org
Website: https://aliveness.org/aids-line/

Benefits Counseling
Hours: 9am – 4pm
Email: benefits@aliveness.org
Website: https://aliveness.org/benefits-counseling/

Every Penny Counts
Hours: 9am – 4pm
Email: epc@aliveness.org
Website: https://aliveness.org/every-penny-counts/

We will continue to provide updates about these programs as we work towards being at full capacity.

For any questions please reach out to info@aliveness.org

The loss of Rainbow Health has left thousands of individuals without access to essential emergency assistance, including rent checks, utility support, food access, and insurance navigation. The moment Rainbow Health closed its doors, our entire community came together to respond quickly.

We are pleased to announce that starting today a transfer of contracts has begun to ensure that evictions are avoided, bills are paid, and access to essential services can continue.

Our team at Aliveness has been working overtime to guarantee that people’s basic needs are met. The following steps aim to achieve minimal disruption and ensure that people continue to have access to the necessary support and care they need during this challenging time.

1. Transfer of Contracts: An initial transfer of contracts has begun to ensure that essential and emergency services can continue. 
2. Avoiding Evictions and Paying Bills: Immediate actions are being taken to maintain housing stability, prevent possible evictions, and ensure that utility bills are paid. 
3. Developing a Phased Patient Care Plan: A phased plan is being developed to address the ongoing needs of the community during the transition, with a focus on maintaining the health and well-being of clients.

Aliveness is fully committed to bridging the gap left by Rainbow Health’s closure. Our collective goal is to ensure that individuals and families continue to have access to the services they need to maintain their health and stability.

Together, we will navigate this transition and continue to support one another as we have always done. We are here for you, and we will get through this together.

Related links:  

• DHS News Release
• MPR News – The Aliveness Project gets fund transfer from Rainbow Health to close HIV care gap
• WCCO – Minnesota organization to help fill need left from Rainbow Health closure
• Fox 9 – Aliveness Project expands services to help Rainbow Health’s former clients
• Kare11 – The Aliveness Project doing its best to help clients after Rainbow Health abruptly closed
• KSTP 5 – Clarity surrounding Rainbow Health closure impact, local org stepping up
• The Body – Rainbow Health’s Closing Shocks Minnesota’s HIV Community.
• Rainbow Health Staff Relief Fund
• Revitalization Fund – PFund
• Community Resource Page
• Aliveness Reports & Financials

For any questions please reach out to info@aliveness.org

We are thrilled to extend to invite you to the grand opening of our community led HIV Pharmacy and Clinic. As we stand on the threshold of a new era in HIV care and treatment, we are honored to celebrate this momentous occasion with you.

Event Details:
Date: December 1, 2024
Time: 11:00am – 3:00pm
Location: 3808 Nicollet Ave Minneapolis MN 55409

Timeline of Events:

• 11am Tours Start
• 1pm – Program Starts
• 2pm – Ribbon Cutting

This special event will not only mark the inauguration of our facility but also coincide with World AIDS Day, a day dedicated to showing support and solidarity for people living and affected by HIV. It is a day to educate, advocate, and commemorate those who have been lost to the disease.

Our grand opening will feature:

• A ribbon-cutting ceremony
• Guided tours of our new facility
• Informative talks by leading HIV specialists
• Networking opportunities with healthcare professionals and community leaders
• Refreshments and light snacks

Your presence will not only celebrate the advancements in HIV care but also support our mission to provide comprehensive, compassionate, and cutting-edge services to those in need.

Together, we can create a supportive environment that fosters hope, health, and healing. We look forward to welcoming you to our grand opening and to a future where HIV is no longer a barrier to living a full and healthy life.

The Aliveness Project hosted our 30th annual Dining for Life fundraiser this past April. 97 restaurants across Minnesota generously donated a portion of their sales to our programs and services. We were deeply moved by the generosity of donors, volunteers, and restaurant owners like Catiesha Pierson.

Catiesha owns The Dripping Root, Minnesota’s only Black-owned, women-owned, extra vibby, drippy-owned, cold press juice bar. 

The Dripping Root is one of our restaurant partners that donates 100% of their proceeds to The Aliveness Project. When asked why she participates, Caitesha said, “We know that there are still so many people living with HIV. We have lost friends to AIDS complications. It is so important to us to support such a great event that can create awareness and bring attention to people who have been overlooked for so long.”

The Dripping Root has been Dining Out for Life partners for the past two years, ever since Catiesha opened her business pouring her heart and soul into health, wellness and juicing!

“Because of Granny Drip’s (Caitesha’s mom’s) involvement within the community I was around all walks of life at an early age.” Catiesha has been dedicated to ending the stigma surrounding HIV since she can remember. After participating in Dining Out for Life annually since 1998, it was a natural decision for her to ensure her own dream restaurant became a part of this event.

For Dining Out for Life, The Dripping Root created special items such as the limited-edition For Life bowl, made with a strawberry base, plant-based whip, strawberry drizzle, strawberries, strawberry granola, banana, peanut butter, and raspberry. Initially, The Dripping Root’s business hours were until 1 pm, but this product became so popular Catiesha had to stay open until 6pm her first year. 

Fast forward to last month, Catiesha and Granny Drip explained that since The Aliveness Project is so close to their heart and that so many people wanted these limited edition items they ended up extending Dining Out For Life for eight days!!! This extension meant eight days of 100% of their proceeds going directly to our food programming for members living with HIV.

“For as long as the Dripping Root is in business, we will always be supporters of The Aliveness Project. I also encourage more restaurants to participate. You can make money any other day of the year. What’s one day? It’s one day that helps support so many. It’s nothing – I did eight!! It’s doing the right thing and it makes you truly feel good. When you feel good you glow different.”

The Dripping Root hours are:

Thursday & Friday 7am-1pm 

Saturday & Sunday 9am-1pm. 

The Dripping Root is located at 4002 Minnehaha Ave MPLS, MN 55406.

We are incredibly grateful for their continued support