Taste of the Town Fundraiser Benefits AIDS Project, Planned for Sunday

The AIDS Project of Centre and Clinton Counties will host Sunday the annual Taste of the Town fundraiser.

In its 14th year, the event bears the theme ‘Atlantis Rising.’ It’s scheduled for 6 to 10 p.m. at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel.

Organizers are aiming to raise some $40,000 at the gathering, a key revenue source for The AIDS Project. Monies raised help HIV-positive residents in the State College area to obtain shelter, clothing, medical treatment, transportation to medical facilities, and other necessities, according to a news release.

The AIDS Project has a total annual budget of roughly $300,000. Founded in 1988, the nonprofit organization serves 40 HIV-positive people — and their families — with a variety of critical services. It also provides prevention and education programming that reaches young people, along with testing services.

Taste of the Town, for its part, features more than 30 local-food and beverage purveyors, including Spats Cafe, Gemelli Bakery, The Tavern Restaurant, Tait Farm Foods and Benjamin’s Catering, among many others. The event also offers dancing and live music — such as live jazz — as well as wine and liquor sampling and a live auction.

Participating local businesses donate their goods to help raise funds for The AIDS Project. Attendees are treated to a wide variety of cuisine and entertainment.

More details, including reservation specifics, are available through The AIDS Project’s website. Tickets are priced at $75 a person — or $750 for a table of 10. Attendees may contribute additional $75 donations to provide tickets for HIV-positive individuals who otherwise could not attend.

Ticket purchases and donations are tax-deductible. Reservations are being accepted online, though some limited tickets will be available at the door, as well.

Earlier coverage

• AIDS Project Prepares Annual Taste of the Town Fundraiser (Dec. 5, 2010)