A facility that serves victims of domestic and sexual violence in eight central Iowa counties is holding a cake auction as its primary fundraiser tonight. Keishna Meissner, spokeswoman for the Domestic Sexual Assault Outreach Center in Fort Dodge, says their financial aid is repeatedly being cut.

“We’re looking at more cuts in the near future and the need is very great,” Meissner says. “This is our biggest event of the year and hopefully it’ll generate some excitement.” She says there are homemade baked goods, ranging from cakes to pies to cupcakes, but the auction items are actually much larger.

Every item is paired with a cake, from a flat-screen TVs to packages that offer things including artwork, quilts and dinners. Last year, the event raised $54,000 for the center. Messner says one highlight of the evening will be the raffle.

The center serves victims in north-central and west-central Iowa, in the following counties: Carroll, Crawford, Calhoun, Hamilton, Humboldt, Pocahontas, Webster and Wright. The doors open tonight at 5. The live auction begins at 6 P.M.

By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City