March 2026 – JBJ Soul Kitchen is honored to receive the 2026 James Beard Foundation Impact Award. The Impact Awards, introduced in 2025, were born out of the James Beard Foundation’s impact work and advocacy policy priorities and build upon the previous Leadership Awards program. The awards recognize changemakers actively working to create a more equitable, sustainable, and economically viable restaurant industry and food system for producers, workers, and consumers alike.

Since 2006, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has worked to break the cycle of hunger, poverty, and homelessness. To date, the Foundation has helped provide support for nearly 1,000 units of affordable and supportive housing in 12 states for thousands of people, including youth and veterans.

In 2011, Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea Bongiovi expanded their mission by founding JBJ Soul Kitchen, a nonprofit, pay-it-forward restaurant that has served more than 234,000 healthy, three-course meals across its New Jersey locations. JBJ Soul Kitchen offers more than just a meal—it fosters meaningful connections with guests through community outreach, including job training, resume support, employment assistance, partnerships with local mental health providers, and access to housing resources.

This recognition reflects JBJ Soul Kitchen’s ongoing commitment to addressing food insecurity while creating a welcoming community where all are treated with dignity and respect.