FEEL-GOOD FUNDRAISER: COTS’ Soup City returns Jan. 22
Pictured is a scene from the 2025 Soup City event.
COTS announced Jan. 8 ‘Soup City 2026: The Detroit Edition’, the organization’s annual signature event, will return Thursday, Jan. 22, to the historic Roostertail.
This year’s Detroit Edition theme celebrates local culture, cuisine and creativity while raising critical funds to support families experiencing homelessness and working toward stability.
“Soup City is an evening of connection, purpose and a commitment to supporting families during one of the most challenging times of the year,” said COTS CEO Cheryl P. Johnson.
“This event exists because our community chooses compassion and action, It is a moment when Detroit lifts families, amplifies hope and invests in lasting change.”
Delicious selection
The event will feature an array of soups, small plates and desserts prepared by multiple metro Detroit chefs and culinary partners, including Soil2Service, Detroit Institute of Gastronomy, Grey Ghost Detroit. Celebrity Catering, Mezcal, Amanda’s Plate, JustGoodChefs and Treat Dreams.
Guests will also enjoy live performances by Detroit musicians, including Randy Scott, Charity, Demetrius Nabors and Jeff Ponders. The evening is hosted by comedian Michael McDaniel.
A centerpiece of Soup City is the “Art of Family” gallery, a photography exhibit highlighting the resilience and aspirations of families served by COTS.
The exhibit challenges common perceptions of poverty and homelessness while offering an intimate look at the partnerships and support systems that help families move forward.
Collective impact of donors, volunteers, coaches on display
Through this gallery, parents share experiences completing job training, securing employment or returning to school, while children speak about milestones once thought out of reach These stories underscore the collective impact of donors, volunteers, coaches and community partners.
The evening will also feature a robust silent auction offering something for every bidder, including curated domestic and international travel experiences, luxury accessories such as brand-new Coach backpacks and a vintage Louis Vuitton purse from Detroit’s former Saks Fifth Avenue, autographed memorabilia, fine art, jewelry and more.
Presented by Lineage Foundation for Good, Soup City 2026 embraces Detroit pride and creativity. Guests are encouraged to represent the city through fashion, wearing Lions, Tigers, Pistons or Red Wings apparel or honoring Motown icon and other symbols of Detroit’s culture and spirit.
Here’s how to purchase tickets
Tickets for this event are $100 and available for purchase online. In addition to attending the event, supporters are encouraged to participate in a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign leading up to Soup City.
All proceeds directly help COTS “create opportunities to succeed” for Detroit families facing hardship and homelessness.
For tickets, sponsorship information or to join this year’s fundraising efforts, visit cotsdetroit.org/soup-city.
