Author Archives: Heather Goldfarb

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August 17 2021

Meals Purchased in Monmouth County Near 20,000 as FeedNJ Program Becomes a Community Staple

JBJ Soul Kitchen provides over 6,000 meals to the FeedNJ Program.

NEW JERSEY—Many more New Jerseysans are experiencing food insecurity due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but receiving free food from soup kitchens and community giveaways feels different when that food comes from a beloved community restaurant. FeedNJ, the flagship program operated by nonprofit Soup Kitchen 411, has brought smiles to people experiencing food insecurity, relief for overworked soup kitchen crews, and critical business to beloved local restaurants. To date, the program has bought and served nearly 20,000 meals in and from Monmouth County, with a mandate to exceed 30,000 by Thanksgiving.

“I first became involved with Soup Kitchen 411’s FeedNJ program last Spring to make sure local restaurants got much-needed business, and I could not be more thrilled with the economic impact it has had in Monmouth County,” said Senator Vin Gopal. “In particular, the program has purchased over 10,000 meals combined from JBJ Soul Kitchen and No Limits Cafe, which have a ‘Pay it Forward’ model and employ people with intellectual disabilities, respectively. These are not just beloved restaurants with great food, but with socially-conscious missions.”

As New Jersey prepares for vaccine passports to roll out, restaurant owners express their relief at the regularity of large quantities of meals purchased from Soup Kitchen 411.

“JBJ Soul Kitchen is a community restaurant that serves an in-need and paying customer. Our unique “Pay it Forward” model allows diners, who are able to donate, to cover the cost of those in need who have volunteered for their meals. Meals purchased by Soup Kitchen’s FeedNJ program at retail price enable us to continue to generate revenue while donating more meals to those in need,” said Dorothea Bongiovi, founder of JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank and Toms River.

Of the meals served in Monmouth County, over 6,000 have come from JBJ Soul Kitchen, including 5,600 purchased in the past six months through the state EDA’s Sustain and Serve NJ grant. During this grant period, 3,525 meals have come from No Limits Cafe, a lunch cafe employing people with intellectual disabilities.

Over 50 soup kitchens, food pantries, houses of worship, local nonprofits, community outreach groups and municipal health departments have worked with Soup Kitchen 411 to distribute meals to the community. Almost a dozen local PBAs and Police Departments joined in the fight in July.

If you’d like to learn more about the FeedNJ initiative and volunteer in the fight against hunger, please visit https://Soup Kitchen 411.com/feednj.

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December 17 2020

Kohl’s to Donate $100,000 to JBJ Soul Foundation Through A Community with Heart Program

Philadelphia, PA — The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has made it our mission to break the cycle of hunger, poverty and homelessness through developing partnerships, creating programs and providing grant funding to support innovative community benefit organizations. With Kohl’s $100,000 grant, our organization plans to continue our work helping individuals and families in need, making an impact in communities through our partnerships and programs.

“We cannot thank Kohl’s enough for their generosity through A Community with Heart Program 2020,” said Heather Goldfarb, Executive Director of the JBJ Soul Foundation. “Their grant will help support our mission and will surely make a difference in the communities that we serve, especially through our JBJ Soul Kitchens. We are so grateful for this longstanding partnership.”

Kohl’s grant to the JBJ Soul Foundation was made through Kohl’s A Community with Heart Program. In the spirit of giving with all of its heart this holiday season, Kohl’s, through its A Community with Heart Program, will donate $5 million in grants to selected nonprofit organizations across the country, demonstrating the company’s ongoing commitment to family health and wellness. Kohl’s store teams and leaders across the country identified and nominated nonprofit recipients from 49 states that are near and dear to their hearts. The full list of selected grant recipients will be available on Corporate.Kohls.com later this holiday season.

The donations are made possible through Kohl’s philanthropic merchandise program, Kohl’s Cares®, which sells children’s books and toys and donates 100 percent of the net profit to charitable organizations across the country that improve the health and wellness of families. To learn more about how Kohl’s gives back to communities nationwide, visit Corporate.Kohls.com.

About Kohl’s

Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a leading omnichannel retailer with more than 1,100 stores in 49 states. With a commitment to inspiring and empowering families to lead fulfilled lives, Kohl’s offers amazing national and exclusive brands, incredible savings and an easy shopping experience in our stores, online at Kohls.com and on Kohl’s mobile app. Since its founding, Kohl’s has given more than $750 million to support communities nationwide, with a focus on family health and wellness. For a list of store locations or to shop online, visit Kohls.com. For more information about Kohl’s impact in the community or how to join our winning team, visit Corporate.Kohls.com or follow @KohlsNews on Twitter.

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December 1 2020

Help Support the JBJ & PBC Hope and Comfort Warming Center

With the cold weather upon us, overnight guests at the JBJ & PBC Hope and Comfort Warming Center in Red Bank, NJ need supplies to help make their stay comfortable during Code Blue Nights. The Warming Center provides the local homeless community a safe and secure location during below-freezing temperatures.

Your donation through our Amazon Wish List will further our mission of providing men in-need with temporary shelter, safety, food and community-based resources in a safe environment, on the coldest winter days. Last winter, the JBJ & PBC Hope and Comfort Warming Center helped over 290 men and this winter we are preparing for even more due to the COVID-19 crises.

Wish List items range from cargo pants, socks and hats to face masks, gloves and hand sanitizer.

Click here to visit our Amazon Wish List

Thank you for your support!

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September 29 2020

JBJ Soul Foundation & HABCore Celebrate Expansion Grand Opening On River Street In Red Bank

Red Bank, N.J. – On Tuesday, September 29, 2020 HABcore celebrated the grand opening of its 4-unit expansion project on River Street in Red Bank. This project was funded through donations by generous community individuals as well as New Jersey Natural Gas, the Lydia Collins deForest Charitable Trust, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ National Housing Trust Fund, and the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation.

HABcore is a nonprofit organization in Red Bank, NJ serving Monmouth and Ocean counties whose mission is to provide permanent housing and individualized support, helping homeless families, veterans, and individuals with special needs move through crisis to stability, giving them the opportunity to improve their lives.

This is the first time the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has donated to help house the homeless in Monmouth County. “JBJ Soul Foundation is thrilled to partner with HABcore and other local organizations to see the River Street project come to fruition,” said Jon Bon Jovi, Board Chairman of the JBJ Soul Foundation. “Affordable and permanent housing continues to be scarce for many homeless individuals and families in Monmouth and Ocean counties, particularly during these challenging times. We remain committed to our mission of helping those in need in Red Bank and surrounding communities—whether a place to call home on River Street, a warm, healthy, and delicious meal at JBJ Soul Kitchen, or access to support services and community resources at the JBJ & PBC Hope & Comfort Warming Center. All of which are within walking distance to one another.”

In 1988 HABcore was formed to house the homeless when three Red Bank men froze to death on the streets of Red Bank during a harsh winter. The agency was named HABcore in the memory of those men whose initials began with H, A, and B. Over the past 31 years HABcore has continued to meet the needs of the previously homeless in both congregate and independent living settings. HABcore now has 300 residents living across Monmouth and Ocean counties including 60 families with 100 children. Residents represent a formerly homeless population of very-low-income families, veterans, and individuals with special needs. HABcore’s goal is to grow continuously to meet the needs of the 665 estimated homeless in the Monmouth-Ocean region.

“We are excited to open more possibilities for individuals who have a low income in this affluent area who have special needs, to have a beautiful home. We are always looking to provide new housing for those less fortunate of our community while improving support and offering new avenues of independence.” said Steve Heisman, Executive Director.

As part of HABcore’s Independence Pathways Program, the residents will receive supportive services, such as training in job acquisition skills and financial literacy. Approved unanimously by the Red Bank Zoning Board of Adjustment, the project containing a first-floor unit which is wheelchair accessible with a motorized lift. A laundry room has been added in a breezeway connecting the older structure with the new addition, and a fire suppression system has been installed to serve both structures. All construction is energy efficient.

*Inside one of the 4 new apartments on River Street*

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September 15 2020

Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation Fulfills Pledge to Feed Families During COVID-19 Pandemic, Ends Food Distribution Program in Long Island

*Dorothea and Jon Bon Jovi at the JBJ Soul Kitchen Food Bank*

JBJ Soul Foundation has ended its food distribution program, the JBJ Soul Kitchen Food Bank, effective September 15, 2020, successfully fulfilling the non-profit organization’s pledge to serve communities across the East End of Long Island.

Opened in May, the Food Bank distributed 447,225 lb. (238 tons) of healthy shelf-stable foods, fruit, vegetables, and pre-made frozen meals over 18 weeks, averaging 25,000 lb. per week. JBJ Soul Foundation thanks the Rubenstein Family for their generosity and support of the program.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, food pantries on the East End were experiencing significant food supply shortages. Pantries saw a 200% – 500% increase in food requests from individuals and families in the area. In response, the Foundation pledged to purchase and distribute food to eight pantries, serving over 5,000 people per month for four months. At one food pantry in the Springs community, the Food Bank fed over 10,705 residents, more than the total number it served in 2019.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to meet and work with the pantries we were able to serve,” said Dorothea Bongiovi, Founder / Program Director, JBJ Soul Kitchen. “Their commitment to their communities was inspiring and humbling. We saw volunteers packing bags during a power outage and distributing food under a tent in 90 degrees while churches, classrooms, and extra space turned into food storage and distribution centers. We saw what was possible when we care for each other, and we are proud to be a small part of that.”

If you are interested in helping in-need families on the East End, please contact the following food pantries: