Milwaukee-area businesses are taking part this weekend in Dine Out for Life, a three-day event. Running Thursday through Saturday, the event spans the metro area from the Third Ward to Pewaukee.
Dine Out for Life began in 1991 when ActionAIDS launched it in Philadelphia; the model has since spread beyond Philadelphia, according to Action Wellness.
A Menu of Ways to Give
The three-day schedule gives diners plenty of options. On Thursday, Brass Monkey in West Allis donates 25% of sales from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., while Café Corazón's Bay View location gives 10% between 4 and 8 p.m. Forage Kitchen is donating 50% of sales across all four of its locations — Brookfield, Milwaukee Public Market, Pewaukee and Whitefish Bay — though customers there need to mention Dine Out for Life in person or use the code DOF26 for online orders. Lakefront Brewery is kicking in $1 for every pint sold, and Sanford gives 10% of sales on Thursday.
Friday's roster includes Antigua in West Allis, giving 20% of sales from 4 to 9 p.m.; Cocina Filipina Fare on the west side, donating 15% from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Ono Kine Grindz in Wauwatosa, giving 25% during the same hours; and The Pasta Tree on the east side, donating 25% from 5 to 9 p.m. The weekend wraps up Saturday with Amilinda downtown donating 30% of sales from 5 to 9 p.m., Goodkind in Bay View and Purslane on the east side each giving 10%, Midwest SAD in Walker's Point donating 10%, Melt Chocolates in Bay View donating 10% from noon to 7 p.m., and The Wolf downtown giving 100% of proceeds from its dumpling special plate and all margaritas sold between 5 and 10 p.m.
Why a Milwaukee Chef Is All In
For Chef Gregory León of Amilinda, the cause is personal: he has friends who use Vivent Health services.
A 40-Year-Old Organization Facing New Pressure
Vivent Health traces its roots to 1985, when it was founded as the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin during the early years of the AIDS epidemic. The organization unveiled the Vivent Health name and brand nationwide in 2019 and later merged with organizations in other states, according to Vivent Health. Today, it serves Milwaukeeans living with HIV.
The organization provides healthcare and social services, including food support.
Federal Funding Threats Loom Over the Weekend
Vivent Health CEO Brandon Hill has warned that federal cuts could set the fight against HIV back decades. Those concerns aren't abstract. Proposed federal budget reductions to the CDC's Division of HIV Prevention could put at least $1.2 million in annual CDC-funded prevention grants to Vivent Health in Wisconsin at risk, as reported by Urban Milwaukee.
How Businesses Take Part
Participating businesses offer percentage-based contributions tied to sales and select items.
Diners can spread the word on social media and tag Vivent Health Wisconsin at @viventhealthpreventionwisc. With three days, participating venues and donation percentages ranging from 10% to a full 100% on select items, the event gives Milwaukee residents a low-barrier way to take part.
