Feed ’em Soup is sharing its unique services in DeKalb this week.

The non-profit community project does not merely put food on the tray and usher people out the door when the service is over, said Derek Gibbs, Feed ’em Soup marketing and branding director. Customers can expect a free restaurant experience with real chefs, music and activities for children.

“This service is for people who might skip phone bills to feed their family,” Gibbs said.

Monday through Sunday, Feed ’em Soup, along with Alpha Phi Omega and the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), will host a variety of activities and events for DeKalb residents.

Gibbs said the goal of this week-long event was to get NIU students to notice Feed ’em Soup and educate them on the what they do. A lot of DeKalb residents know of Feed ’em Soup, PRSSA President Colleen Krohn said.

On Monday, Feed ’em Soup encouraged people to wear Feed ’em Soup shirts and sent volunteers to award people wearing them with prizes like certificates for free food. Throughout the week, people can buy shirts, eat at a free BBQ and participate in Alpha Phi Omega’s annual duck race at the Kishwaukee river.

Alpha Phi Omega is planning to raise $8,000 for Feed ’em Soup, said Derek Koegel, leadership vice president for the fraternity. Gibbs said this would be the largest donation given to the project yet.

“We just want to give back to the community,” Koegel said.

Krohn said she wanted to work with Feed ’em Soup for an independent study and also because her cousin, who was involved in car accident in 2011, worked with them as well.

“I think it’s awesome,” Krohn said. “It’s the best non-profit in DeKalb.”

Feed ’em Soup was founded in 2010 by people in their 20s, Gibbs said. They saw a need in their community for people who are homeless or in need of food. The project does not receive donations from the government but through local businesses, neighbors and corporate grants from Target and Wal-Mart.