On April 28th, 2010, The SHARP Foundation joined twenty-one other Canadian HIV support organizations in hosting A Taste for Life. A Taste for Life is a good cause with good food! Over 1,000 Calgarians enjoyed a great meal in some of Calgary’s best restaurants while giving to SHARP. In 1999, Bruce House and The Snowy Owl AIDS Foundation held the first "A Taste for Life" in Ottawa. Since then this event has grown and continues to be a great way to create awareness locally within our communities. This year Calgary was the first Western Canadian city that joined this national fundraising event.

The feedback received from this event was phenomenal. Many people thought it was the highlight of their week. Others were amazed at the response from their community. Some loved the energetic host that restaurants had and many were appreciative of the good food for a wonderful cause. We are enthusiastic about next year’s upcoming event as we have many people who are looking forward in participating again and who want to know more about how they too can help. With the growth of this event in the city we not only anticipate greater success but also awareness in regards to the issue of HIV/AIDS in Calgary.

Thanks to our 11 restaurants and sponsors for this event SHARP was able to raise almost $29,000 which will go directly to support services for our clients. Our restaurants included Halo Restaurant & Lounge, O Restaurant & Lounge, The Coup, Chicago Chophouse, Escoba Bistro & Wine Bar, Fiore, The Gypsy Bistro – Wine Bar, The Metropolitan Grill, Rouge, Los Chilitos Taco & Tequila House and Moxie’s Classic Grill. Our sponsors Mix 97.7, TD Bank, The Calgary Sun, GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine and Uptown 17th were as important as our restaurants. Each and every one of our sponsors was fundamental to the success of this event and we want to thank each of them for their support.

A Taste for Life works by having people make dinner reservations at participating restaurants where 25 per cent of their gross proceeds go to The SHARP Foundation. We also have a special host at every restaurant that helps greet and welcome people. Our host are energetic and enthusiastic about A Taste for Life.

This type of event helps SHARP continue to help those individuals that need us most. We believe that each person living with HIV/AIDS should and will have the support they require to meet his/her needs. Our philosophy is to maintain or enhance the quality of life by providing non-judgemental care and support with compassion. Through events like A Taste for Life, not only do we raise awareness of HIV in Calgary but allows SHARP to continue providing services in an effort to prevent further transmission of HIV/AIDS.

Join us on April 27, 2011 as Canadians across the country show their support for this cause.