The 10th Annual Chocolate for Congo Is This February

Now in its 10th year, Chocolate for Congo continues to work with Portland-area restaurants and bakeries to raise money to benefit Action Kivu and Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI)—non-profits investing in the women, children and communities of eastern Congo. Theo Chocolate has donated the chocolate, and desserts will be available throughout the month of February in Portland. The Never Again Coalition has organized this fundraiser.

These Portland spots will participate in Chocolate for Congo:

Arden, 417 NW 10th Avenue
Cafe Olli, 3925 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Canard, 734 E Burnside Street
Coquine, 6839 SE Belmont Street
Dame, 2930 NE Killingsworth Street
Le Pigeon, 738 E Burnside Street
Ox, 2225 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Pie Spot, 521 NE 24th Avenue | 6935 NE Glisan Street
Sesame Collective’s restaurants Dolly Olive (527 SW 12th Avenue), Lil’Shalom (1128 SW Alder Street), Mediterranean Exploration Company (333 NW 13th Avenue), Shalom Y’all (117 SE Taylor Street #101), Yalla (7850 SW Capitol Hwy)

Not too many of the restaurants have announced—as of the writing of this piece—what exactly they are serving, but thanks to KOIN and Eater, here are a few things you can anticipate eating: cinnamon and chili chocolate tart (Arden); chocolate cherry semifreddo (Le Pigeon); chocolate mint mousse pie (Pie Spot); and bonbons filled with passion fruit caramel and spicy chocolate ganache (Sesame Collective’s restaurants).

One dollar from each chocolate dessert will go toward Chocolate for Congo, which will then benefit Action Kivu and Eastern Congo Initiative.

It’s notable that Theo Chocolate—which uses organic and fair-trade ingredients in their products—sources 100% of its cacao from the Congo. A related statistic: “As of this year, every Theo products directly support the livelihood of over 7,692 cocoa farmers and their 69,228 family members in eastern Congo.” This helps these families work toward a better life though education and investment in their communities.

More about the two organizations Chocolate for Congo benefits:

Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI): “Through collaborative grantmaking, ECI works with partners in North and South Kivu to build their capacity and eliminate barriers. ECI’s revolutionary social enterprise, Asili, provides self-sustaining high-quality water, healthcare, and energy services. The organization’s work in advocacy increases international attention to the region while its dedication to private partnerships increases Congo’s access to foreign markets for crops like cacao and coffee. In the past year, ECI has provided 58 million litres of water, supported over 1,000 survivors of rape and gender-based violence, and invested in over 300 female entrepreneurs.”

Action Kivu: This organization “partners with ABFEC, a Congolese owned and operated non-profit. They provide direct assistance to survivors of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo through projects including the Congo Peace School, entrepreneurial training, and regenerative farming rooted in sustainable living, peace and equality. They advocate community-based initiatives and sustainable solutions developed by members of the Congolese community that provide pathways for them to be agents for peace as they create a thriving society for all. Their entrepreneurial programs and the Congo Peace School are located in Mumosho, eastern Congo.”

And about the Never Again Coalition: “The Never Again Coalition seeks to prevent and end genocide and mass atrocities through awareness, advocacy and partnerships in our areas of focus: Sudan, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burma and Bangladesh.” Lauren Fortgang, co-owner of Le Pigeon and Canard and former pastry chef, is Co-Founder and Director of the Never Again Coalition.

You can read more about Chocolate for Congo, Eastern Congo Initiative, and Action Kivu here, and Never Again Coalition here.

Chocolate for Congo is a great cause and worth your time! Plus it’s delicious. I hope you will make it to one of these restaurants during the month of February.

10th Annual Chocolate for Congo
Wednesday, February 1 to Tuesday, February 28, 2023
neveragaincoalition.org/cfc23 | Facebook