Eat chocolate for a good cause.

Safe Passage, DeKalb’s domestic violence shelter, is hosting “An Evening of Chocolate” on Saturday.

For $10 a person, NIU students have a chance to sample chocolate cakes, pies, cookies and any other creation participants can dream up.

Cynthia Folgate, community resource director for Safe Passage, said numerous local businesses are entering desserts in the contest. Starbucks, Culvers and the Lincoln Inn will be bringing samples of their merchandise to be judged and dealt out to chocolate lovers. There are two separate divisions, one for adults and another for youth.

“There are 15 judges: police, city officials and prominent people throughout the county,” Folgate said.

Other businesses are donating items and services for a raffle.

This is the fifth year Safe Haven has hosted the evening dessert event and Folgate said participation has beaten expectations.

“The first year we were set up for 80,” Folgate said, “Now we expect 300 to 340 people per year.”

Safe Passage sets up the event and proceeds go to support its programs, including a 25-bed shelter for victims of domestic violence.

SAFE PASSAGE SERVICES

Folgate said that Safe Passage housed 55 people per month on average, including 49 children, during the last fiscal year. Other victims of domestic violence who are not ready to leave their homes can receive counseling and legal assistance.

“Even if they stay in the situation, they can come to us for walk-in services,” Folgate said. “Our concern is if they get the help they need.”

VOLUNTEERS

NIU’s Women’s Resource Center volunteers spent one of their recent Selfless Saturdays at Safe Passage.

“We just pretty much did whatever they needed us to do as far as cleaning and getting their information in order,” said Patrice Rounsaville, a WRC employee and one of the volunteers.

As a criminology major, Rounsaville said she took part in the volunteer work because of her interest in situations such as those dealt with at Safe Passage.

“The thing that interests me most is that there’s an agency to help those who suffer from domestic violence,” Rounsaville said. “It was good to know we have an agency here.”