Category Archives: Editorial

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 December 7 2022 

CHICKIE’S AND PETE’S TEAMS UP WITH JBJ SOUL FOUNDATION TO HELP FIGHT HUNGER & HOMELESSNESS

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

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 November 29 2022 

Giving Tuesday 2022 – Help Us Make a Difference

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.

This Giving Tuesday, 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 875 men and this winter we are preparing for even more due to the already cold temperatures.

Please considering joining us in this global generosity movement. Wish List items range from shirts, pants, socks, and hats to coffee, snacks, backpacks, and personal hygiene items.

Together, We Give.

 

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 November 1 2022 

Dorothea and Jon Bon Jovi Close Out 10th Annual Forbes 400 Summit on Philanthropy

The 10th Annual Forbes 400 Summit on Philanthropy took place in New York City on September 23, 2022. This annual event brought together over 100 of the world’s leading philanthropists, social entrepreneurs and business leaders for critical discussions on how to apply wealth and resources to solve today’s most intractable problems.

Forbes invited Jon Bon Jovi, Board Chairman of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation (JBJSF) and Dorothea Bongiovi, Founder & Program Director of JBJ Soul Kitchen, to speak in a fireside chat discussion. At the 10th Annual Event, Jon and Dorothea were the closing speakers, where in the first annual event, they opened this discussion that brings people together to strengthen society. This year’s summit focused on one particular challenge – global food insecurity – which demands the innovative, solutions-oriented attention of the world’s most successful people. This is an issue that both the JBJSF and JBJ Soul Kitchen’s mission are built upon, as they continue to break the cycle of poverty, hunger and homelessness.

“Paying it forward is effecting change directly,” said Jon Bon Jovi as he discussed the goals of JBJSF in conversation with Randall Lane. He continued, “We’re effecting change one person at a time,” a foundation which JBJ Soul Kitchen is so proud to be built upon. By understanding the needs of the individuals, the team at JBJ Soul Kitchen is able to find the appropriate resources to help their patrons.

In order to stay focused on the work at hand, Dorothea Bongiovi stated, “You just have to put your head down and continue to put one step in front of the other. Do what you can do. If everyone did that, things would get a little bit better.” As both JBJSF and JBJ Soul Kitchen navigate the challenges of food insecurity and homelessness, the organizations rely on the generous donations of their supporters. Without the teamwork of the staff and volunteers, and the support of our very generous donors, this mission would not be possible. Please join us in helping to end this fight. Donate today.

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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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 January 22 2020 

FIRST JBJ SOUL KITCHEN ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS OPENS AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY – NEWARK

Campus Foodservice Provider, Gourmet Dining, Introduces “Pay It Forward” Community Restaurant as Innovative Approach to Addressing Student Food Insecurity

Pictured (L-R): Nancy Cantor, Chancellor, Rutgers University-Newark;
Phil Murphy, Governor, New Jersey; Tammy Murphy; First Lady of New Jersey;
Dorothea Bongiovi, Jon Bon Jovi; Michael Frungillo, President, Gourmet Dining 

Newark, N.J. – January 22, 2020 – It’s hard to believe, but one in three students attending a four-year college struggle with the issue of food insecurity. At Rutgers University – Newark (RU-N), where more than 50 percent of students have exceptional financial need, the campus community is taking an innovative approach to address the issue by opening the first JBJ Soul Kitchen on a college campus in partnership with the school’s food service provider, Gourmet Dining. The JBJ Soul Kitchen serves healthy, delicious meals to students, faculty and community members who have the ability to pay, in addition to students who are in need.

“Food insecurity is one of the most critical issues college students face today,” said Jon Bon Jovi, Board Chairman, JBJ Soul Foundation. “We applaud Gourmet Dining and Rutgers University-Newark who have made tackling this issue a priority so that students always have a place to go for a great-tasting, healthy meal. We couldn’t have found a better place to open our third JBJ Soul Kitchen location and truly believe that when students are supported with basic needs and backed by their community, they can and will go on to do amazing things.”

Rutgers University – Newark has long been at the forefront of addressing the issue of student food insecurity and has taken a comprehensive approach to open a food pantry, organize a care team and work with student organizations dedicated to fighting hunger on campus. Introducing the JBJ Soul Kitchen at RU-N provides even greater opportunities for the entire campus community to come together and educate and assist one another to solve this problem.

“Our new partnership with the JBJ Soul Foundation and Gourmet Dining to open JBJ Soul Kitchen—the first on a college campus—takes our collective action on food insecurity to a whole new level,” said Rutgers University – Newark Chancellor Nancy Cantor.  “This is the kind of action that I think the late great Newark Rabbi Joachim Prinz had in mind when he spoke at the March on Washington just before Dr. King in 1963 and said: ‘Neighbor is not a geographic term. It is a moral concept. It means our collective responsibility for the preservation of human dignity and integrity.’ For us at Rutgers-Newark, that is what it means to be an anchor institution.”

At JBJ Soul Kitchen RU-N, students, faculty and community members are invited to dine and pay-it-forward by making a minimum donation of $12 or using a donated meal plan “swipe”. Students may also volunteer their time by participating in various activities around the restaurant or in other campus dining locations to cover the cost of their meal.

“What makes the JBJ Soul Kitchen model special is that it’s designed so that everyone can enjoy a healthy, delicious meal and dine with dignity – whether you’re hungry or hungry to make a difference,” added Dorothea Bongiovi, Founder, JBJ Soul Kitchen.

No matter the individual’s socioeconomic situation, everyone who dines at the JBJ Soul Kitchen will enjoy the same chef-created, three-course meal. Every week the menu changes with a variety of options for appetizers, main courses and desserts. Some of the menus will feature a Soul Spiced BBQ Pulled Beef, a Coffee and Soul Spiced Short Rib, and Maple Roasted Chicken. All meat served is certified Halal, Kosher is available upon request, and there are always vegan and gluten-free options, along with delicious desserts.

“As a campus dining service, everything we do is focused on meeting the ever-changing dining needs of our students and know that great meals are a part of their success. One day, after seeing a long line of students waiting to visit the food pantry, I knew we needed to do something more to help them focus on being students – and not worry about where their next meal is coming from,” said Michael Frungillo, President, Gourmet Dining. “Understanding there was a successful model and a great champion essentially in our own backyard in New Jersey, we soon approached Jon and Dorothea and the JBJ Soul Kitchen. We’re honored to carry their mission forward and know we have all the right ingredients to make a difference.”

Beginning on Thursday January 23, the JBJ Soul Kitchen RU-N will be open for lunch from 11:30am-1:30pm ET Monday-Friday. It is located on the second floor of the Paul Robeson Campus Center at 350 Dr. M.L.K. Jr. Blvd. in Newark, N.J.

Individuals interested in making a contribution to the JBJ Soul Kitchen can visit https://www.runewarkdining.com/jbjsoulkitchen/.