“Union Beach, like so many other hard-hit communities in our area, is still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy,” said Jon Bon Jovi. “We recognize that by supporting Spoon Full of Hope, we are not only providing families with a hot, nutritious meal in a warm, welcoming setting but also providing hope to those who are still rebuilding their lives.”

JBJ Soul Foundation offered to help re-open Spoon Full of Hope after the program lost its funding last summer. The community restaurant follows the JBJ Soul Kitchen’s model as there are no prices on the menu and you could be seated with someone you may not know. It is not a “pay-what-you-can” model, instead patrons can either pay a minimum donation or volunteer an hour of time to earn a dining certificate for a meal that will feed the volunteer and up to four family members. Since reopening, the restaurant has served an average of 70 meals per night, with 50% of meals served to patrons who volunteered as payment.

“We owe a heartfelt thank you to Jon, Dorothea and their amazing staff at JBJ Soul Kitchen for the guidance, opportunity, support and encouragement,” said Gigi Liaguno-Dorr, project manager for Spoon Full of Hope. “This sponsorship is a true blessing that will empower, uplift and enable our community to continue to help each other pay it forward.”

Carl Williamson, pastor of Gateway Church of Christ said that he was excited for the opportunity to partner with Spoon Full of Hope to re-open the community restaurant. “Whether it’s helping a person in-need or someone who is just willing to volunteer to help others, we believe that creating a family-like atmosphere is key to bringing our community together.”

Spoon Full of Hope is the passion project of Liaguno-Dorr, who is the owner of JakeaBob’s Bay. After Hurricane Sandy she relocated the storm-ravaged restaurant to a temporary location naming it JakeaBob’s Off the Bay. She also devoted her time volunteering and distributing meals in Union Beach and later partnered with Gateway Church of Christ in 2013 to open the community kitchen.

“I had seen the need, witnessed the struggles and knew something had to be done. I wanted to create a warm and welcoming environment where neighbors could laugh, cry and encourage each other to keep on pressing forward,” Liaguno-Dorr said. “A helping hand, a hot meal, a friendly face, a conversation and hope—these are life’s most rewarding pleasures.”

For more information, please visit Spoon Full of Hope Community Restaurant’s website and Facebook page.

Saturday, October 11th/ 1pm – 4pm

Join us for the first annual JBJ Soul Kitchen Kickoff Cook-Off!

Soul Kitchen is excited to welcome the following NJ Fire Departments who will be preparing their best firehouse chili: Red Bank, Sea Bright, Port Monmouth, Union Beach, Hackensack, Little Silver and Monoc EMS. Attendees will sample the chili and vote for their favorite. This event will be the kick off event in Celebration of the JBJ Soul Kitchen’s 3 year anniversary. Donations to enter the event will be $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. All proceeds from this event will be shared by the winning fire departments and the Soul Kitchen. Soul Kitchen will be open to the public for regular dinner service from 5pm-7pm that evening. Come by and see how Soul Kitchen serves the community and why Hope is Delicious.

Wednesday, October 15th / 6:00pm – 8:00pm

180’s Amanda’s Easel Art Exhibit

JBJ Soul Kitchen is proud to host its second Amanda’s Easel Art Exhibit. Amanda’s Easel, a program of our partner 180 Turning Lives Around, uses art therapy to help children exposed to domestic violence heal through the expression of art. This year’s theme is “Turning Over a New Leaf” and you can join us to view the exhibit and take part in the interactive “Leave a Change” art installation.

This event is free to the public – please join us for complimentary apple cider and seasonal bites. Soul Kitchen will not be open for dinner that night, as always if you or someone you know is in need of a meal please contact us so arrangements may be made.

Saturday, October 18th / 1:00 – 4:00pm

** JBJ Soul Kitchen 3rd Anniversary Celebration**
Please Raise Your Hand and help Jon combat hunger.

JBJ Soul Kitchen is celebrating 3 years of giving a hand up in the community. Jon Bon Jovi has provided his hand print for you to write a message of hope on to be displayed at Soul Kitchen and shared through social media. Join us as we celebrate and see how Soul Kitchen is much more than a meal. There will be music, face painting by Smiling Palette, pumpkin picking & painting by our own teacher/volunteer Cindy and light fare in the Soul Kitchen garden. This event is free to the public. Soul Kitchen will open at 5:00pm for regular dinner service.

Our partners **Fair Mountain Coffee Roasters **will be providing complementary coffee.

A Pop Up Farm Stand will be provided through the SHARE Food Program. Representatives from our partners at the Pilgrim Baptist Church and the SHARE Food Program will be on hand to introduce the community to this affordable program for farm fresh produce & general food items. This is a wonderful way to access healthy foods for those living within a tight monthly budget.

Please continue to check back for more information on each night!

If you do not live in the Red Bank area but would like to support Soul Kitchen, you can help us by Paying It Forward. By donating, you are helping to cover the cost of someone’s meal who volunteered as payment. You can also raise YOUR hand and help combat hunger by adding a message of hope on the donation form that will be printed on Jon Bon Jovi’s hand print and displayed at Soul Kitchen during our celebration!

Please click HERE to donate and support our mission.

Soul Kitchen…where Hope is Delicious.