Author Archives: Heather Goldfarb

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 July 5 2025 

Feed the Hungry Pantry of Palm Beach County

In July 2025, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation provided a grant to Feed the Hungry Pantry of Palm Beach County that helped complete their latest project.

With support from the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, they’ve launched a network of solar-powered, refrigerated containers that will store millions of pounds of nutritious food including milk, eggs, fish, meat, bread, and canned goods and will be delivered free of charge to local community organizations, churches, and pantries – including their own. They’ve created an innovative solution that allows them to feed more than 12,000 people every week.

Feed the Hungry Pantry of Palm Beach County’s Mission Statement: Our volunteers are dedicated to ending hunger in Palm Beach County, especially among the sick, the disabled, shut-ins, seniors, minorities, veterans, and children. Since most of our work is done by volunteers, we can provide meat, fish, milk, eggs, cheese, produce, bread and canned goods for a healthy meal for pennies.

In October 2025, The pantry added five new refrigerated containers, allowing them to safely store fresh produce, meat, dairy, bread, and more. These containers are on track to help the pantry handle over 6 million pounds of food in 2025.
Recently, they rescued 26,000 pounds of protein from local supermarkets—preventing food waste while providing nutritious meals to neighbors in need.

If you would like to learn more and support Feed the Hungry Pantry of Palm Beach County, please click here.

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 July 1 2025 

Rights of Passage II Ribbon Cutting

PENNSYLVANIA – In July 2026, JBJ Soul Foundation President Leo Carlin joined Covenant House Pennsylvania for the ribbon cutting of Rights of Passage II, an expansion of Covenant House’s transitional housing program for young adults experiencing homelessness. The Rights of Passage model was first supported by JBJ Soul Foundation in 2011, and the Foundation is proud to continue that partnership through a grant supporting this new phase of the program.

Rights of Passage II adds 12 safe and supportive living units for young adults ages 18–24, offering stability, guidance, and resources designed to help residents move toward independence. The program emphasizes long-term outcomes through wraparound support, including housing, life-skills development, and individualized care.

At JBJ Soul Foundation, we believe in meeting people where they are and investing in solutions that create lasting change. Rights of Passage II reflects that commitment by providing young adults with the time, tools, and stability they need to heal, grow, and build sustainable futures.

In 2024, Covenant House Pennsylvania served more than 2,000 youth through a range of programs, including residential services, street outreach, education and prevention, and transitional housing. Among those served was Jnyah Walker, who entered the transitional housing program on her 21st birthday after experiencing homelessness. With Covenant House’s support, she was able to focus on her mental health, secure employment, and save enough to move into her own apartment within six months.

JBJ Soul Foundation is honored to support Covenant House Pennsylvania and its continued commitment to helping young people transition from homelessness to stability, independence, and opportunity.

For more information on Covenant House Pennsylvania, please visit their website.

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 April 1 2025 

JBJ Soul Kitchen Coffee

We’re proud to introduce JBJ Soul Kitchen Coffee, now available for purchase online and at our JBJ Soul Kitchen locations in Red Bank and Toms River, NJ. Our 100% Arabica Sumatra Medium Roast features a bold, smooth flavor with rich cocoa notes. This full-bodied blend is available in both ground coffee bags and single serve beverage cups compatible with Keurig machines.

Fair Trade Certified

At JBJ Soul Kitchen, ethical sourcing practices are as important to us as they are to you. With our Fair Trade certified coffee, farmers receive fair compensation while promoting sustainable livelihoods and responsible farming.

FLAVOR

Enjoy the smooth, rich taste of our 100% Arabica Sumatra Medium Roast coffee. This full-bodied coffee is packed with flavor and a touch of cocoa, and it is sure to satisfy the most avid coffee drinker.

Coffee Creates Community

At JBJ Soul Kitchen, we know a great meal brings people together. Now you can enjoy the same coffee that we serve at home. When you purchase our delicious coffee, you know you are supporting our mission to fight food insecurity. Every warm cup makes a difference.

Ready to enjoy your first cup?
Purchase JBJ Soul Kitchen Coffee here.

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 March 3 2025 

200,000 Meals Served Across SK Red Bank and Toms River Locations

New Jersey – March 3, 2025 – JBJ Soul Kitchen is proud to announce the celebration of a significant milestone—serving its 200,000th meal. What started as one small restaurant with a big mission has grown into a community-driven initiative that proves real change is possible. Through its Pay It Forward model, JBJ Soul Kitchen has provided restaurant-quality meals to those facing food insecurity while inviting paying customers to contribute toward feeding their neighbors.

Since opening our doors, JBJ Soul Kitchen has remained committed to providing delicious three-course meals to individuals and families in need while fostering an environment where All Are Welcome to dine with dignity. The milestone of 200,000 meals served is shared between the Red Bank and Toms River locations, highlighting the ongoing impact of the initiative in New Jersey communities.

Reflecting on this milestone, Dorothea and Jon Bon Jovi shared their gratitude, “When we first opened, people did not understand our unique Pay It Forward model. We are not a soup kitchen. We are not a pay-what-you-want restaurant. We are a unique Pay It Forward model where those who are unable to pay, volunteer their time. Those who can pay, pay for their meal and donate to pay it forward. Everyone has the same amazing meal. Everyone has the same fantastic experience. This model has now been proven time and time again for well over a decade.”

Watch our celebration video!

The flagship location in Red Bank, New Jersey, opened in 2011 with just 33 seats. Over the years, JBJ Soul Kitchen has expanded to include The B.E.A.T. Center in Toms River, a vibrant resource hub offering a choice food pantry in partnership with Fulfill, a culinary training program, and a JBJ Soul Kitchen. Additionally, we have locations at Rutgers University-Newark and New Jersey City University, addressing food insecurity among students.

JBJ Soul Kitchen has served 200,000 meals within its dining room setting. This number does not include the thousands of additional meals provided during crises such as Superstorm Sandy, the COVID-19 pandemic, and supporting local warming centers and overnight shelters during Code Blue nights.

Supporters can directly affect change by dining at JBJ Soul Kitchen’s Red Bank or Toms River locations. The mission to fight food insecurity is ongoing, and continued community involvement is essential. To contribute directly to our Pay It Forward program, visit this link

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 February 28 2025 

JBJ Soul Kitchen Named #1 Celebrity-Owned Restaurant in the U.S.

JBJ Soul Kitchen has been named the #1-rated celebrity-owned restaurant in the United States by The New York Post! This recognition is based on a study by Cases.gg, which analyzed Tripadvisor and Google reviews — with our Red Bank location earning an outstanding 93.3% five-star reviews.

For years, JBJ Soul Kitchen has remained dedicated to fighting food insecurity by providing nutritious meals in a warm, welcoming environment. Our unique pay-it-forward model allows diners to enjoy a high-quality, three-course meal regardless of their ability to pay. Those in need can dine with dignity, while others are encouraged to pay a suggested donation or volunteer their time to support our mission.