JBJ Soul Kitchen, a community-oriented nonprofit restaurant opened by musician Jon Bon Jovi and his wife Dorothea, has recently come under fire. For instance, Toms River’s Mayor, Daniel Rodrick, is preparing to end Toms River’s new temporary branch that’s set up at the Ocean County Library. The restaurant uses a popular pay-it-forward concept. In doing so, it seeks to serve the needs of everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status, drawing with it a great deal of local community support and political opposition.
JBJ Soul Kitchen got its start in 2011 in Red Bank, New Jersey. Since then, it has continued to expand and opened branches in Toms River, Newark and Jersey City. The nonprofit restaurant serves meals at a price of $12, though customers can pay what they want. This makes it simple for patrons to pay for their own meal and contribute to the cost of the meals for those who can’t afford them. This innovative model not only saves food and money, but allows residents to reconnect with their community by redeeming their earned meals through volunteer service.
So far, JBJ Soul Kitchen has been able to serve more than 208,000 healthy meals. Residents and volunteers have stepped up in an extraordinary way, with volunteers delivering 59% of these meals. Of the 41% that was not public funding, all of it came through generous private donations. Former President Bill Clinton heralded this strategy. He praised Bon Jovi and his wife for their innovative efforts.
“I came here to add my voice of thanks to Jon and Dorothea, who house the homeless and feed the hungry. And remind us all that underneath our differences, we’re not so different after all,” – Former President Bill Clinton
JBJ Soul Kitchen is growing, and we want you to be part of it! It now has permanent homes at Rutgers University in Newark and New Jersey City University in Jersey City. The existing pop-up location, at the Ocean County Library in Toms River, will close in May. Supporters are understandably alarmed at what this portends for the long-term prospects of the still-fledgling initiative.
Although Mayor Rodrick intends to close the temporary emergency location, this decision has received backlash from residents who say the move will potentially jeopardize lives. They hope the restaurant will play an important role in combating hunger and homelessness.
“I definitely want it gone,” – Toms River Mayor Daniel Rodrick
The model used by JBJ Soul Kitchen is different from regular soup kitchens or pay-what-you-want restaurants. As stated on its official website, the restaurant focuses on a pay what you can model but builds community accountability.
Supporters say that JBJ Soul Kitchen does more than just feed the hungry. It provides an opportunity for those people to come together and address larger systemic, social justice issues. It’s no coincidence so many regular patrons talk fondly of the hours spent volunteering and eating at the restaurant.
“If we could put a roof over someone’s head or put food in their belly, it’s quite simple: We don’t need a scientist to find the cure.” – Jon Bon Jovi
The model’s success has served as a catalyst for others to replicate similar initiatives in other states. That’s the power of community-driven solutions in this fight against food insecurity. As discussions continue regarding the future of JBJ Soul Kitchen’s Toms River location, many hope that community voices will influence local leadership decisions.
The model’s effectiveness has sparked interest in replicating similar initiatives elsewhere, showcasing the potential for community-driven solutions to combat food insecurity. As discussions continue regarding the future of JBJ Soul Kitchen’s Toms River location, many hope that community voices will influence local leadership decisions.