Many celebrities use their wealth and resources to give back to local communities.
For instance, Jon Bon Jovi’s community restaurant offers “a delicious, locally sourced meal in a warm and welcoming setting while meeting our neighbors,” according to the JBJ website. However, it’s so much more. The restaurant offers payment alternatives for those struggling to make ends meet and has grown into several locations.
Bon Jovi’s Community Restaurant
Jon Bon Jovi, perhaps best known for his musical talents and acting, offers something else, something heartwarming to the world. John Francis Bongiovi Jr. was born on March 2, 1962, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He went on to release more than 15 albums and 70 music videos, along with trying his hand at acting. While his career is impressive, his contributions to society are also noteworthy. Bon Jovi’s community restaurant has grown since its early days and has transformed into something much bigger.
The Soul Foundation
Bon Jovi’s community restaurant was opened in 2011 and is part of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation. The foundation was established in 2006 and has since partnered with several foundations and outreach programs. Some partnerships include Habitat for Humanity, Hamptons Community Outreach, and Mission Accomplished.
Eating at Bon Jovi’s Community Restaurant
The first location of Bon Jovi’s community restaurant is in Redbank, New Jersey and provides meals for paying and non-paying customers. Subsequently, non-paying customers can make a donation or volunteer some time to cover the cost of their meal.
Bon Jovi’s Community Restaurant Serves 3-Course-Meals
Bon Jovi’s community restaurant “serves a 3-course meal based on American Regional cuisine,” according to the restaurant’s webpage. The dishes are made with natural and locally sourced ingredients and the menu changes bi-weekly. There are no reservations required. Rather, seating is first come, first served and those in need take priority.
Supporting the Mission
Bon Jovi’s wife, Dorothea Hurley, is his high school sweetheart and shares his passion and vision, also taking part in the foundation’s contributions. “Hunger doesn’t look like what your mind’s eye might imagine. It’s the people at your church. It’s the kids that go to school with your kids. And I think that was eye-opening for a lot of the community here,” Hurley said. “However, by stigmatizing homelessness and poverty, we make it harder for those who are in need of resources to actually gain access to them.”
Students in Need
In 2020, Bon Jovi’s community restaurant opened its third location at Rutgers University. The University’s website estimates that over 75% of the 36,000 undergraduate students receive financial aid. Therefore, many are unable to afford healthy and nutritious meals. “What we realize is that there were kids in colleges that were hungry. We all think it’s a rite of passage to study hard and eat ramen noodles,” Bon Jovi explained, questioning, “How about if it’s the only thing you can afford?”
Recalling the First Location
“We opened our first Soul Kitchen ten years ago in Red Bank, New Jersey, after Super Storm Sandy. And the second one on Toms River, because those were the people most impacted by it.” Bon Jovi recalled, explaining his motivation to help others in need.
Helping Others is Rewarding
The rockstar explained he “gets sense of fulfillment” from dedicating himself to his foundation and helping others. “I think, when I leave here at night and you see the lives you touch. I have left here, you know, after a long night of volunteering and said, ‘That makes you feel the same kind of good.’ You know?” He added. “And that’s what I say, the way to feel good is to do good, you know? Find your good and do it.”
Community Support
Bon Jovi’s community restaurant has garnered the support of countless individuals who donate their time to cook and serve or donate food for meals. Instead, almost all the food and labor is donated, according to Hurley. As such, the foundation takes tax-deductible donations to help keep its mission going. The foundation doesn’t only help provide for Bon Jovi’s community restaurant. It also has several partners and works with countless organizations to fight hunger, poverty, homelessness, and mental health disorders.
Countrywide Partnerships
Although Bon Jovi’s community restaurants are located in New Jersey, his partnerships extend nationwide. For instance, in 2010, the JBJSF partnered with HomeAid Atlanta and Phoenix Pass on the construction of an apartment building operated by a non-profit helping provide long-term housing for families and women with children in Conyers, Georgia.
Hub of Hope
Furthermore, the JBJ Soul Foundation partnered with Project HOME in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, providing funding for years of support so the homeless in the community can shower and have their laundry done at the Hub of Hope, which also offers social services for those in the process of finding a home and those in need of medical care or recovery services.
Creating Pathways
The JBJ Soul Foundation partnered with several organizations to provide funding so Joseph’s House of Camden would maintain its current location, providing “pathways out of chronic homelessness.“ The facility provides emergency shelter, food, and on-site mental and social services.
Bon Jovi’s Community Restaurants Create a Spark
Bon Jovi’s community restaurant isn’t the only avenue the rockstar has taken to help feed others, and in 2015, they worked with NJAHC on a project to create awareness of hunger and poverty, as it impacts an alarmingly high number of Americans. Photographers were asked to capture what “hunger” means to them. Powerful pieces were displayed at press events and a statewide poverty conference.