Domestic violence can build up over time, or come all at once, unexpected, out of nowhere, according to Leah Bair, program development director at DSAOC in Fort Dodge. For those who experience domestic violence in their lives, it’s a storm like no other.

The staff at the Domestic Sexual Assault Outreach Center — DSAOC — work to help see people through the storms of life. For some, DSAOC is literally a port in the storm, a shelter to call home where one can feel safe, and sleep without fear.

For others, DSAOC may be a phone call, a trained listener, a friend.

For still others, the storm may have swept in too fast, but DSAOC is still there to help survivors pick up the pieces and begin to move on.

-File photo
Easter baskets like these were a popular item in the 2023 DSAOC Cake Auction.

To make those services possible, to provide that safe port in the storm, DSAOC reaches out annually to the community for support of its major fundraiser, the annual Cake Auction.

“It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year, and our department greatly needs this money to finish out our budget for the year,” Bair said.

Auction items are continuing to flow in, all donated locally. There will be tickets to local events, Easter baskets for kids, gift baskets for adults, even furniture, and many more items that are still coming in, according to Bair.

“There are so many that I just don’t want to leave anyone out,” Bair said. “We really appreciate all of our sponsors.”

While DSAOC receives a number of grants to assist in its operation, Bair emphasizes the importance of the Cake Auction to fill in the gaps.

“We do several little fundraisers throughout the year, but this is the one that really helps support our budget so that we can continue,” she said.

As in recent years, the Cake Auction will be entirely online, beginning Thursday, March 21, and continuing through Tuesday, March 26.

The auction went online during COVID and it’s a format that has proven to work well. While originally a public safety measure during the pandemic, the online aspect now helps as DSAOC struggles with an ever-tightening budget.

Bair does not rule out the possibility of a live auction again sometime in the future, but things would have to change somewhat.

“Eventually, maybe we can do a live auction again, but it would have to look a little bit different,” she said. “The main reason is that we have taken some budget cuts and there are several positions that we weren’t able to continue funding. Some of those roles were ones that would help us with these items.”

The auction can be followed at

DSAOC’s website, Facebook page, and at cakeauction2024.givesmart.com.

DSAOC’s service area is spread through 20 counties in central and north central Iowa. The shelter, which is actually just one of its wide range of services, acts as a safety net for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and violent crime. Crisis services can range from case management, food, clothing, transportation and most anything a person might need after fleeing a violent situation. DSAOC services are available to all, regardless of age, gender, creed — it’s simply for anyone who needs it.

“We serve everyone. Women, children, men,” Bair said. “We have had men in our community in our shelter. It’s just not as reported as it is for women. There’s kind of a stigma that men don’t reach out for things like that, they are supposed to be strong and tough.”

But men can suffer abuse, and DSAOC is there to serve them as well. Oftentimes, for men or women, the first step is a simple phone call. Although the word “simple” doesn’t adequately describe how difficult it may be to make that initial call.

“Making that first phone call is huge,” Bair said. “Knowing they will have someone to help them, or steer them in the right direction, whether they need housing, whether they need to flee to someplace else, or whether they just need someone to listen.”

DSAOC also operates its own retail store to help collect donations for the shelter, and to raise funds at the same time. The Key on Central is located at 1030 Central Ave. and is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Key on Central accepts clothing, household items, but does not take computers, electronics, or expired car seats. Donations can be dropped at the store during regular hours. It can be a fun place to find unique items and support a good cause at the same time.

Some of the donations will end up at the shelter and help folks living there start over in a new home.

“We can always use blankets and bedding at the shelter,” Bair said. “When people come in they typically don’t have that kind of stuff, so when they leave we send all of their bedding that they used here with them.”

Other needed donations include toilet paper, paper towels, laundry soap, dish soap, and basic personal items.

When a person is starting over, they have to start from scratch, but with DSAOC around, they do not start alone. They have found a port in the storm, and when they sail again, they will have new friends and new tools to help them on their way.

Changing one’s life can start with just one phone call.

“That’s the first step, someone reaching out to us for the first time, knowing they have some place to call,” Bair said.

She urges anyone who needs help, or just needs to talk, to call the toll free crisis line at 1-888-356-2006.

Domestic Sexual Assault Outreach Center

CAKE AUCTION

6-Day Online Event

cakeauction2024.givesmart.com

When: March 21st 10:00 a.m. thru March 26th 7:00 p.m.

What: Auction Items (added daily)

Buy It NOW Options

Cash Raffle

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