The annual Cake Auction of the Domestic and Sexual Assault Outreach Center — DSAOC– is underway, but more donations are still being sought.

The event, which has now occurred for 29 years, is the largest fundraiser for the organization. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, the event went online, and has stayed an online auction since then.

Three different programs come under the DSAOC umbrella that benefit from the auction.

The shelter located in Fort Dodge, which serves 20 counties in central Iowa, is the most visible. On average, it helps more than 2,000 people each year, including men, women and children.

In addition to the shelter, DSAOC runs a Homicide and Other Violent Crimes program, which serves 15 counties in central Iowa. That program has offices in both Fort Dodge and Waterloo.

The third component of DSAOC is the retail store in downtown Fort Dodge. The Key on Central is a resale/thrift store located at 1030 Central Ave.. It accepts donations of goods such as clothing, housewares and furniture. Some items are saved for clients; the remaining items are resold and the profits help cover costs of the shelter.

The five day online auction begins on March 26 at 10 a.m. and continues until March 30 at 7 p.m.

Nearly 10 million men and women are victims of domestic violence each year, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

An average of 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking, according to the National Domestic Abuse Hotline.

One in four women and one of seven men over the age of 18 in the United States have been the victim of severe physical domestic violence according to the Hotline.

DSAOC generally raises about $30,000 from the auction to support vital services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, trafficking and other violent crimes.

Donations are currently being collected to support the auction with auction items. Monetary donations are welcome all year.

The auction can be viewed at https://cakeauction2026.givesmart.com.There is a QR code on the DSAOC website and direct donations can also be made via PayPal at www.dsaoc.com.