Binging on chocolate can often leave you with both strange satisfaction and burdening guilt. But binging on chocolate for a good cause? No guilt there.

Sunday, Sept. 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Dwelling Place, a small nonprofit that works to transition Montgomery County families out of homelessness, hosted the Carnival of Chocolates at Rockville Town Center.

For the first time in 23 years, instead of an elegant gala, the Dwelling Place opted for an outdoor, family-friendly event centered in a large plaza filled with tents holding food and kids’ activities. With a turnout of around 750 people, the event drastically surpassed the press release prediction of 300 attendees and netted around $6,500. The event featured live music from three local bands, booths from four chocolatiers, a kids’ fun run, a raffle, and stations for face-painting and cookie-making.

Sara Dwyer of local chocolate shop Chouquette has been a part of the Carnival of Chocolates for the past few years. Last year, she suggested bringing the carnival to the streets.

“The fact that it’s a community event with kids, and the Dwelling Place helps families with kids, is a great bridge,” Dwyer said.

The plaza buzzed with excitement from people of all ages coming together to give back to the community by eating a delicious variety of chocolate treats. Many families danced around the carnival, jamming out to music from the bands on stage.

Einstein High School student Malik Quinn, a member of the Einstein chorus and the Strathmore Children’s Chorus, performed with band Swag Funk at the festival. Quinn’s family used to be homeless until The Dwelling Place helped change their lives. While Quinn’s mother, Anne Marie Walker, worked with the organization to create stability for her family, the Dwelling Place helped spark Quinn’s passion for music by sponsoring piano lessons for him through the Jane and William McQuain Fund, which provides funding for afterschool activities for the children of Dwelling Place.

“I bought a house over five years ago and my children have been very successful,” Walker said. “Now, I am giving back through being a board member [of the Dwelling Place] and spreading awareness by helping through a client’s perspective.”

Walker ran the raffle station at the carnival, which included Baltimore Orioles tickets, a Ten Thousand Villages gift certificate and a voucher for a four-person party at Color Me Mine.

Widespread enthusiasm among attendees led members of the Dwelling Place board to say that they plan on hosting the Carnival of Chocolates in its new format again next year.

James Bond, President of the Dwelling Place Board of Directors, said that it’s important for high school students to learn about hardship in their community and help prevent it. Students have the opportunity to give back through volunteering for the Dwelling Place and their events like the Carnival of Chocolates or by holding other fundraisers.

“By volunteering your time and interests, you’ll learn how families experiencing homelessness are not at all different from the families in which you are raised, with the exception of negative circumstances our families are striving to overcome,” Bond said.

Find out more about the Dwelling Place and how you can help at www.tdp-inc.org.