A Taste for Life is a unique annual dining event that empowers everyday Canadians with the opportunity to make a difference simply by enjoying a meal. Here’s how it works: when you dine at one of the participating Toronto restaurants on April 16th, 2025 the restaurant donates a portion of your bill to Fife House.

For nearly three decades, Fife House has been one of the organizations at the forefront of the HIV/AIDS crisis, working to provide safe and affordable supportive housing and services for vulnerable individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS, and experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. Each year, Fife House supports over 1,200 people through its many vital programs and services like food security, harm reduction, case management, and addiction supports, and it provides transitional and long-term housing at multiple locations across Toronto for over 200 individuals and families.

Fife House has been an invaluable lifeline for many individuals and families. However, the housing crisis in Toronto and many other cities, coupled with the continuing long-term impacts of the recent COVID19 pandemic, and insufficient investments in HIV/AIDS services and housing – has created a perfect storm, pushing even more people to the brink. The skyline in Toronto may continue to be pushing new heights every year, but the ground is crumbling beneath many of its residents – particularly its most vulnerable communities. Plentiful data and research shows that stable housing isn’t just about having a roof over your head; it’s critical for managing health. Without it, medication adherence drops, the risk of transmission rises, mental and physical health declines, and can even result in mortality. With 87% of people accessing services from AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) like Fife House struggling to meet basic needs, and recent data showing an increase in new HIV infections in Canada, the challenge is immense.

A Taste For Life is a straightforward and impactful way to support those living with HIV/AIDS and facing housing insecurity.

Why Participate?

In a city where rent can swallow most of a paycheck, vulnerable individuals often have to make difficult choices between food, medication, and shelter. By taking part in A Taste for Life, you’re directly contributing to Fife House’s housing and support programs that offer a lifeline to those who need it most. The beauty of A Taste for Life is in its simplicity. You don’t have to be a philanthropist or attend a formal gala—just grab a meal with friends, family, or colleagues at a participating restaurant on April 16th, 2025 and you’re making a real impact. It’s that easy. Since 2001, A Taste for Life has raised over $1.5 million in Toronto, all of which has gone straight into Fife House’s supportive housing programs and services for the community.

How You Can Get Involved

  • Dine Out: On April 16th, plan a night out with friends, family, and/or colleagues at a participating restaurant. Enjoy your meal knowing that part of your bill is being donated by the restaurant to Fife House and going directly to support those in need.
  • Donate: If you want to go a step further, consider making a personal donation to Fife House. Make a one-time gift, or sign-up as a monthly donor. You can also spread the word and by organizing a group outing with friends, family, or colleagues. The more people, the merrier—and the bigger the impact. Reserve your tables early.
  • Restaurant Owners and Managers: If you own or manage a restaurant, you can also get involved by signing up as a Restaurant Partner for the event. It’s a win-win proposition: the additional number of diners coming out to your restaurant for A Taste for Life offsets your restaurant’s contribution to Fife House. Plus, your restaurant benefits from the goodwill generated by participating in the event, and the additional exposure and patronage from new diners may result in repeat business in the future.

Why This Matters

Unlike the competitive and untenable bidding that invariably happens when purchasing a home, supporting Fife House and its housing programs and services does not have to be a race to the bottom. It’s a simple and painless way to contribute to positive change – to help vulnerable community members secure a roof over their heads. After all, we all stand to benefit from a city that is an inclusive home for everyone. Think about it. And for people living with HIV/AIDS and experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, access to stable housing and support services allows them to manage their health better, which in turn reduces the risk of transmission and the number of hospital visits, improves quality of life, and helps put them on a journey to healing and recovery so that they can rebuild their lives. When you take part in A Taste for Life, you’re contributing to this essential support system.

So, as the date approaches, keep an eye on Fife House’s website for a list of participating restaurants. Mark April 16th on your calendar, gather your loved ones, friends and colleagues, and enjoy a night out. Your meal is more than just food on a plate—it’s a powerful act of community care. Let’s make sure no one faces HIV/AIDS alone. We can make a difference, one meal at a time.

Get involved. Eat well. Give back.

A Taste for Life takes place on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. This annual event began in 1999 as a joint fundraising initiative between Bruce House and the Snowy Owl AIDS Foundation in Ottawa, and has since grown to include other AIDS organizations in multiple cities across Canada. Funds raised by the organizations go towards supporting local programs and services. In Toronto, A Taste for Life is organized by Fife House, in partnership with various restaurant partners, and all funds raised locally goes towards Fife House’s programs and services for people and families living with HIV/AIDS in Toronto.

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.