Local eateries raise funds for AIDS

Thousands of people in the Philadelphia area satisfied their appetites yesterday, while assisting those afflicted with AIDS at the same time. Thanks to ActionAIDS, Philadelphia's largest AIDS organization, more than 170 local restaurants donated a portion of their lunch and dinner business to benefit area service organizations combatting HIV, as part of the annual Dining Out for Life program. Although the restaurants develop their own promotions each year, they all typically donate one-third of the day's profits. Bookbinder's Seafood House, located in Center City, cooperates with Pio wines to promote the event at the restaurant. Two Penn favorites -- the Palladium and the White Dog Cafe -- supported the fund-raising effort. Posters and napkins featuring an enlarged fork promoted the event at the Palladium. Palladium owner Roger Harman said he enjoys participating in the event, which began six years ago. "It's a very nice program," he said. "I am happy that the Palladium was a part of it from the beginning." According to Harman, there was a slight decrease in reservations at the Palladium this year. However, he noted that more eateries in the area participated in the program this year -- which could account for the lower number of patrons. Harman said he was pleased that "gourmet restaurants" are following the trend set by the Palladium and other eateries. Willow Grove residents Emily and Robert Abel said they see programs like Dining Out for Life as "relatively easy ways" to battle the problems associated with AIDS. They both commended the generosity of establishments such as the Palladium which raise funds with direct local benefits. The White Dog, which was participating for the first time, was crowded with customers who expressed their support of the program. College freshman Ali Kalogris and her mother Elisabeth, a Chester County resident, said they enjoyed the restaurant's debut into the program. The elder Kalogris praised the program as a "wonderful approach to raise money for the research involving the AIDS virus." Dining Out for Life has grown into one of the principal AIDS fund raisers in the region. It enables restaurant-goers to increase their awareness of the disease while financially alleviating the lack of research funds. ActionAIDS Executive Director Ennes Littrell said she feels the "wonderful sense of camaraderie and accomplishment" between a restaurant and its patrons ensures the success of the program. Bookbinder's owner Richard Bookbinder noted that meaningful interaction with the customers is crucial to area restaurants. "It's important to give something back to the community to back a good cause as well as to ensure consumer satisfaction," he said. Christopher Siegal, manager of the South Street Pizzeria Uno, voiced similar sentiments, hailing the program as a "great chance for more than just researchers" to get involved in something beneficial to the entire community. ActionAIDS representative Kristin Gallagher was stationed at Pizzeria Uno for hosting, publicity and informational purposes. Other representatives played similar roles in other dining establishments. Despite the overwhelming positive sentiment towards the program, several people noted that consumers only play an indirect role in assisting AIDS research. Harman said he worries that such "feel-good" programs can only do so much for a problem with such great magnitude. Elisabeth Kalogris said she wonders if restaurant-goers really knew of the program's existence or if their presence yesterday was merely a coincidence. Despite these possible drawbacks, Dining Out for Life has raised as much as $125,000 for AIDS research and client services in the Delaware Valley in the past. The AIDS Coalition of South Jersey, the Delaware County AIDS Network and Project Hope of Montgomery County assisted ActionAIDS in coordinating the event. And the Philadelphia City Paper, The Wall Music, Inc. and American Express Financial Services, Inc. provided financial backing for the program.