Category Archives: Editorial

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 November 5 2012 

Rebuilding in New Jersey & How You Can Help

Our Board Chairman, Jon Bon Jovi, performed on a telethon on NBC on Friday, November 2nd to help raise money for the Red Cross that will assist with emergency relief efforts. Once the relief efforts turn to recovery, the Soul Foundation will be helping where we can with those who have lost their homes.

We are currently still assessing what opportunities exist for us to help rebuild in New Jersey. While it is early in the process, we know that many of us have seen the widespread devastation that have left many throughout the region without homes. We plan on helping where we can and will need your support to help make a difference…one SOUL at a time.

If you would like to donate to the JBJ Soul Foundation for rebuilding efforts, please click HERE

Below are immediate needs from some of our Community Partners in New Jersey. If you are able to donate items on their lists, please reach out to them directly so that they will receive your much needed donation faster:

Covenant House
If you would like to make a donation of:
– Water or non-perishable food items
– New socks, gloves, winter hats and winter coats
– Gas Gift Cards
– Visa Gift Cards for items needed that are not donated
– Home Depot/Lowes Gift Cards

Please mail or drop off your donations to:
Covenant House
330 Washington Street
Newark, NJ 07102-2630

Or visit HERE

JBJ Soul Homes – Newark, NJ
If you would like to make a donation of:
– Non-perishable nutritious foods
– Water
– Medium size recyclable shopping bags or Boxes
– LED portable lights

Please mail or drop off your donations to:
JBJ Soul Homes – Newark
68 Mt Pleasant Ave
Newark, NJ 07104

Or visit HERE

Hispanic Affairs and Resource Center
If you would like to make a donation of:
– Non-perishable foods
– Jackets/Coats for adults & children
– Clothing
– Blankets

Drop off for donations:
6 Herbert Street
Red Bank, NJ 07701
732-747-9000

For mailing donations, please mail to the main office:
Hispanic Affairs and Resource Center
913 Sewall Avenue
Asbury Park, NJ 07712

Or visit HERE

United Way of Monmouth County
If you would like to make a donation of:
– “Cleaning kits” – a pail or bucket with bleach, gloves, sponges, paper towels and household cleaner with bleach
– Outdoor cleaning items such as heavy gloves, contractor bags, rakes, push brooms
– Baby diapers – all sizes – and baby wipes
– “Pop top” canned food, meals-in-a-can (beef stew, ravioli, beef-a-roni, etc)
– Paper towels
– Toilet paper
– Bottled Water

Please mail or drop off your donations to:
United Way of Monmouth County
Thompson Park
805 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, NJ 07738

New Jersey Anti-Hunger Coalition (NJAHC)

As you know, communities across New Jersey were hit hard by Hurricane Sandy. Emergency food providers throughout the state are responding to the disaster and need your help.

Please visit the NJAHC website at www.njahc.org and click on How to Help to find a food pantry or soup kitchen nearest you and contact them directly to donate food and/or funds.

Thank you for helping our neighbors in need during this difficult time.

Message from Jon Bon Jovi:
IN THE DAYS AND WEEKS FOLLOWING SEPTEMBER 11TH, THE WORLD WATCHED IN DISBELIEF AND TOOK NEW YORK CITY AND AMERICA INTO THEIR HEARTS
WE FELT THE WORLD WRAP IT’S ARMS AROUND US, FORGETTING ALL OUR DIFFERENCES, AS WE CAME TOGETHER AS ONE.
ONE WITH THE GRIEF & THE SADNESS. ONE WITH THE CONFUSION & UNCERTAINTY.
ONE AS WE REBUILT NOT ONLY THE BUILDINGS BUT ALSO OUR LIVES AND OUR DREAMS.

ONCE AGAIN, THE EYES OF THE WORLD ARE UPON US AS WE WAKE UP TO THE DEVASTATION OF HURRICANE SANDY.
AND ONCE AGAIN WE WILL HAVE HURDLES TO CLEAR AND CHALLENGES WE WILL HAVE TO FACE.

WHEN PATIENCE IS LOST… WHEN IT SEEMS HELPLESS… WHEN YOU’RE IN NEED AND YOU FEEL AS IF YOU’RE ALONE… KNOW YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
WE’RE ALL IN THIS. TOGETHER.

WE CAN AND WE WILL REBUILD.
WE HAVE PROVEN, TIME AND AGAIN, THAT IT IS THE SPIRIT OF OUR PEOPLE THAT DEFINES US.
RESILIENCE IS OUR MIDDLE NAME. EVEN MOTHER NATURE IS NO MATCH FOR THAT.

IN THE COMING DAYS AND WEEKS AHEAD IF YOU ARE ABLE, VOLUNTEER. IF YOU CAN , DONATE.
ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP, NO MATTER HOW SMALL, WILL MAKE AN IMPACT.

THE DAYS AHEAD ARE GOING TO BE DIFFICULT. BUT THERE IS NO CHALLENGE THAT WE CAN’T MEET TOGETHER.
THIS IS WHO WE ARE… AND THIS IS WHAT WE DO AS NEW YORKERS, AS NEW JERSEY-ANS… AND AS AMERICANS.

WE HELP OTHERS WHO ARE IN NEED.

WE MAY NOT HAVE ELECTRICITY BUT WE HAVE POWER…
—

-Jon Bon Jovi

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 October 19 2012 

The JBJ Soul Kitchen Celebrates One Year Anniversary

The JBJ Soul Kitchen began as a pilot program serving meals in 2009, assessing the patrons’ needs and response to the model, before renovating an old 1,100 square foot auto-body shop as the Kitchen’s new, permanent location. While under construction volunteers painted, landscaped and helped transform a 3 bay garage into a beautiful oasis. Neighbors offered food, furniture, dishes, their time and expertise; the Red Bank community welcomed and embraced the Soul Kitchen mission leading up to the grand opening last year on October 19, 2011.

“We are so thankful to everyone in the Red Bank community and beyond for all the support during our first official year of service,” stated Mimi Box, Director of the JBJ Soul Foundation. “It tells us that there is a population of supporters and people in need out there who believe that access to fresh, nutritious food & meals should be available to all, regardless of their economic place in our community. As we look towards the future we hope to continue to spread the mission of the JBJ Soul Foundation through programs such as JBJ Soul Kitchen and help those in need one soul at a time”.

Inspired by the old adage, “teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime” diners in need who come to the Soul Kitchen are empowered – they have the opportunity to earn a seat at the table for themselves and their families through volunteer hours at the Kitchen or other local organizations. They are served by the wait-staff in a lovely restaurant atmosphere with the dignity of having earned their meal. Those patrons who can afford to dine anywhere are rewarded with not only a delicious meal but with the knowledge that by dining out and leaving more than the suggested donation, they’ve contributed to their community.

In addition, Soul Kitchen has been able to provide more than just meals to those who dine at the restaurant; they have connected members of the community to those who are in need of help, in some cases resulting in job opportunities as it did for one gentleman who lost his job in construction last fall. He came to Soul Kitchen and volunteered to wash dishes, clean windows, and help out in any way he could. One night while eating at a community table he met and was hired by a local landlady who needed a handyman. He has since been hired by a contractor and has been working steadily for the last two months.

This spring, Soul Kitchen began a successful fundraising Guest Chef series, which brought celebrity chefs such as Mario Batali and Tom Collichio to Soul Kitchen; as well as brothers Victor and Bobby Rallo, from the local Basil T’s restaurant.

The Soul Kitchen operates as a program of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation and is sustained by cash payment from customers who are able to pay the suggested donation (or even a little more).

Please visit our Photo Gallery for images of Soul Kitchen throughout its first year!

Donations to Soul Kitchen help offset the cost of providing meals to those in need. If you would like to donate to the JBJ Soul Kitchen and our mission, please click HERE

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 October 3 2012 

President Bill Clinton Visits JBJ Soul Kitchen

The winner of the auction and 20 of her guests dined at Soul Kitchen with Jon Bon Jovi and President Bill Clinton. A wonderful evening was had by all as guests dined on food that would normally be served at Soul Kitchen to give everyone a taste of “Soul”. Our three course menu also included several vegan options as well. Throughout dinner the guests had a chance to meet with Jon and President Clinton to discuss their respective Foundations and the work that they do. After dessert, President Clinton met with our Soul Kitchen staff and thanked them for providing everyone with a wonderful experience.

To view more photos from the evening, please visit our PHOTO GALLERY

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 August 28 2012 

JBJ Soul Foundation & Covenant House Hear from Residents of Rights of Passage

Without help from our caring donor base, supporting work like this would not be possible. The Power of WE at work – and what WE can do when WE come together.

Thank you for your continued support of the Soul Foundation and our mission to end homelessness…one SOUL at a time.

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To view photos from the ribbon cutting ceremony that Jon Bon Jovi participated in at Rights of Passage, please click HERE

To read the press release from the event, please click HERE