This summer, JBJ Soul Kitchen was granted the wonderful opportunity to host a mission booth at PNC Bank Arts Center. Our staff and volunteers were able to educate and spread awareness about our mission in fighting food insecurity. The summer raffle included various prizes, such as JBJ Soul Kitchen merchandise. All who donated were entered to win the prized guitar signed by our Board Chairman, Jon Bon Jovi.

Thank you to everyone who visited our booth to learn more about our mission, and donated to enter our raffle. Your participation helps to further our mission in the fight against food insecurity within our community.

A very special thank you goes out to the PNC Bank Arts Center for their incredible support, which included a generously donated space for our booth as well as many concert tickets, which our team was able to raffle off to many lucky winners. We also want to express our appreciation to our team at JBJ Soul Kitchen, along with the many committed volunteers who joined us at each concert. Your dedication and hard work were instrumental in turning this fundraiser into a success.

We are thrilled to announce the winner of the autographed Jon Bon Jovi guitar – congratulations to Jessica T. on winning this prize!

TOMS RIVER, NJ – On Saturday, October 7th, JBJ Soul Kitchen Toms River hosted their 8th Annual Chili Cookoff, a heartfelt tribute to the service of first responders across New Jersey. Presented by Vydia, this fundraising event brought together the community to not only celebrate first responders but also to support JBJ Soul Kitchen’s mission of addressing food insecurity.

New Jersey first responders from fire departments, EMS, police, and First Aid Squads showcased their chili recipes. Attendees sampled the chili entries and cast their votes for their favorites.

Congratulations to the 8th Annual Chili Cookoff champions!

1st Place: Union Beach Police Department

2nd Place: Rutgers University Police Department

3rd Place: Newark Fire Department

Best Table: Rutgers University Police Department

Best Dressed: Toms River Police Department

Guitar Raffle: Barbra F.

50/50 Winner: Joanne W.

The event featured JBJ Soul Kitchen appetizers, including various smoked meats flavored with our JBJ Soul Seasoning. The day was filled with exciting and fun activities for all! Thanks to our community partners—Fulfill People’s Pantry, Applaud Our Kids, NJ singer/songwriter Michael Rainone, and Empty Bowls—for their awesome support and contributions to the event.

Fulfill People’s Pantry collected enough food and funds to provide almost 1,900 meals to our neighbors in need.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of our 8th Annual Chili Cookoff—participants, attendees, staff, volunteers, partners, and a special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Vydia! This event means so much to us, as we celebrate and acknowledge the dedicated service of first responders throughout New Jersey.

As a crucial part of the ongoing mission of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, events like these play a vital role in breaking the cycle of hunger, poverty and homelessness in our community.

The JBJ Soul Foundation is proud to share that our program, JBJ Soul Kitchen, has once again been selected to receive a grant by Kohl’s A Community with Heart Program. In 2022, JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank and Toms River have served almost 25,000 meals to patrons and our surrounding community with 58% of the meals being served to those in need. The need in our communities continue to rise with the percentage of diners unable to pay for their meals increasing each month. With Kohl’s $30,000 grant, our community restaurants can continue serving healthy meals to those in-need and to the generous donors who support our mission to address issues of food insecurity.

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 $8 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 is available on Corporate.Kohls.com.

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.

We are so thankful to have been selected once again to receive a grant from Kohl’s who have been a longtime supporter of our mission. This grant will support us in our mission to help break the cycle of hunger, poverty, and homelessness…one SOUL at a time. Thank you!

About Kohl’s

Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a leading omnichannel retailer. With more than 1,100 stores in 49 states and the online convenience of Kohls.com and the Kohl’s App, Kohl’s offers amazing national and exclusive brands at incredible savings for families nationwide. Kohl’s is uniquely positioned to deliver against its strategy and its vision to be the most trusted retailer of choice for the active and casual lifestyle. Kohl’s is committed to progress in its diversity and inclusion pledges, and the company’s environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) stewardship. 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.

The duo will raise funds & awareness through in-store fundraising and an enter-to-win sweepstakes featuring 5 personalized, autographed, “Caravan Sound” Acoustic guitars signed by Jon Bon Jovi

PHILADELPHIA, PA, Dec. 7, 2022- Local restaurant group Chickie’s & Pete’s is joining forces with the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation to raise money for individuals and families fighting hunger and homelessness during the holiday season. Since 2006, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has worked to break the cycle of hunger, poverty, and homelessness through developing partnerships, creating programs, and providing grant funding to support innovative community benefit organizations.

From 12/5/2022 – 1/1/2023 at participating Chickie’s and Pete’s locations across PA and NJ, guests will have the opportunity to donate after their meal and add their name to a paper guitar, which will be placed around the restaurant to show their support of this cause. Guests will also be able to enter to win a personalized, autographed “Caravan Sound” Acoustic guitar signed by Jon Bon Jovi. Guests can donate at any time during their Chickie’s and Pete’s visit and all sweepstakes entries can be made through their phones.

“We are thankful to Chickie’s & Pete’s for supporting the JBJ Soul Foundation this holiday season,” said Jon Bon Jovi, Board Chairman of the JBJ Soul Foundation. “The Foundation has provided funding for emergency shelters, permanent supportive housing, meal programs and more throughout Philadelphia and New Jersey. People can feel good about their donations as the funds raised by this partnership will go right back into the surrounding communities to help those who are less fortunate.”

The Foundation started its work through the localized efforts of the Philadelphia Soul Arena Football Team and its owners, which included Jon Bon Jovi. The Foundation quickly expanded its mission and has a national presence in its commitment to finding innovative solutions to end hunger and homelessness. Working with corporate partners like Chickie’s and Pete’s has helped to make this possible.

“Chickie’s and Pete’s has been a long-time partner of ours going back to the very beginning of the Philadelphia Soul Arena Football team where the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation started,” said Craig Spencer, Co-Chairman of the JBJ Soul Foundation. “Working with Pete once again is something we are excited about as he has always stepped up to help where he can. We appreciate his support and friendship and look forward to using the funds raised this holiday season to make a difference in the lives of those in need.”

“We’re ecstatic to be teaming up with my longtime friend, Jon Bon Jovi, and the JBJ Soul Foundation. It’s an honor to be able to work together to fight the impacts of hunger and homelessness right before the holiday season.” Peter Ciarrocchi, Chairman and CEO of Chickie’s & Pete’s.

About Chickie’s and Pete’s

Chickie’s & Pete’s is a Philadelphia-based crab house and sports bar with 17 locations across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and a brand-new location in Las Vegas. Founded in 1977 by Peter and Henrietta Ciarrocchi, Chickie’s & Pete’s began as a single corner bar in the Mayfair neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia and has since grown to become one of the most recognizable brands in the region. It’s famous, one-of-a-kind Crabfries® concession locations can be found in stadiums, areas, boardwalks, and amusement parks throughout the country. Chickie’s & Pete’s is a leader in forging innovative strategic partnerships and utilizing technology to bring together casual dining with interactive sports entertainment. The company combines family-based vales with a love of all things sports and entertainment in each of its locations. Learn more at chickiesandpetes.com