AIDS fundraiser a NENY cooperative

A variety of restaurants from Columbia County in the south to the Canadian border in the north are planning to participate in the 8th annual Dining Out for Life.

Participating restaurants will donate 25% of their sales for breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails on Thursday, April 28, to the AIDS Council’s Client Services Emergency Fund that day.

Last year's event raised an estimated $43,000 for the AIDS Council as more than 16,000 people participated. The top five restaurants in terms of total contributions:

1. New World Bistro, Albany, $2,419 (the all-time best)
2. El Loco Mexican Café, Albany $2,196 (2nd best all-time)
3. Aperitivo Bistro, Schenectady, $1,599.74
4. Hattie's Restaurant, Saratoga Springs, $1,463.25
5. Tiznow Restaurant, Saratoga Springs, $1,345.75

The list of participating restaurants for this year will be posted online closer to the time of the event.

OTHER FOOD-RELATED UPSTATE FUNDRAISERS:

• 'Parti Gras' fundraiser at Troy brewpub

• Steer burger eating champ plays good defense

• Regional Applebee's help charities raise $2.41 million

• Free food at Perkins a charitable catalyst

• Valente's again tops in Mac-n-Cheese Bowl