On Sunday dozens of local restaurateurs will dish up bowls of soup to thousands of folks who will show up at FedExForum to eat everyone’s favorite winter food, have a fun afternoon and know that Youth Villages is a deserving beneficiary of their money.

The 31st Youth Villages Soup Sunday gets underway at 11 a.m. Look for the Half Shell, owned by Danny Sumrall, one of the co-founders of Soup Sunday. Huey’s will be serving — the late Thomas Boggs got involved early on and his family continues the tradition. Celtic Crossing. Mosa Asian Bistro. Babalu. Rizzo’s Diner. Char — the list goes on and it’s not just soup.

There’s a wide selection of cakes, cookies and other desserts to finish off the day, plus adult beverages with VIP Souper tickets.

It all started when Sumrall and Mike Warr grabbed a few friends and hosted Soup Sunday at Warr’s big restaurant Downtown, Captain Bilbo’s (long closed). That event blossomed into one that has raised more than $1.5 million for Youth Villages over the years and brings about 3,000 folks out to taste soup every year.

All proceeds from the event this year will benefit Youth Villages Chris Crye Mentoring Program, said Mia Harvey, senior public relations coordinator at Youth Villages.

“We try to connect the child with a mentor who might have similar interest,” she said.

The Youth Villages’ Chris Crye Fund was established in 1998 in memory of real estate broker Chris Crye, son of Harold Crye, who died in a horseback riding accident in 1998; he was an active volunteer and supporter of Youth Villages. 

Youth Villages, a non-profit which started in Memphis in 1986 with the merger of Dogwood Village and Memphis Boys Town, is now in 21 states. Its 87 locations now serve more than 30,000 young people each year through residential programs, intensive in-home treatment, crisis management, foster care and adoption.

Vocational services are offered to older children and the students in the culinary program always enter a soup at Soup Sunday.

Mentors in the Chris Crye program volunteer a minimum of four hours per month and take the kids they mentor off campus for various recreational activities. There are 175 mentors in West Tennessee.

“It might be something like going to see a movie, just something to get them out so they can be in the community like other children are,” said Sabrina Payne, community and development manager.

Youth Villages Soup Sunday is Feb. 23, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at FedExForum. General admission is $20 for ages 13 and older; $10 ages 6-12; $50 for a family pack that includes 2 adult and 2 kids’ tickets. VIP Souper tickets are $75 for adults, $30 for children, and $110 per couple. VIP includes access to the VIP level, more selection and adult beverages for adults. All tickets are available for purchase at the door.

Besides all the food, look for events such as an Oreo stacking contest, face painting, a kids’ play area and more.