JBJ Soul Kitchen will expand its efforts in the fight against food insecurity in New Jersey.

The nonprofit community restaurant concept launched by local rocker Jon Bon Jovi and his wife, Dorothea, will establish a pop-up lunch spot at the Toms River Branch of Ocean County Library.

Scheduled to open Feb. 11, the temporary café will offer the following complete meal for a suggested price of $12:

• Appetizer (soup or salad)
• Entrée (sandwich, wrap, bowl or large salad)
• Dessert (muffin or fruit cup)
• Drink (water or unsweetened iced tea)
• 12-ounce coffee (add $2)

Grab-and-go options will include:

• Appetizer (soup or salad): $3
• Entrée (sandwich, wrap, bowl or large salad + protein): $8
• Dessert (muffin or fruit cup): $1
• Drink (water or unsweetened iced tea): free
• 12-ounce coffee ($2)

At JBJ Soul Kitchen, customers who pay for their meals have the chance to cover costs for someone else who didn’t have money but volunteered to help out in exchange.

For the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, the Ocean County Library outpost marks the fifth to debut since establishing JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank 14 years ago.

Downtown Toms River, the Paul Robeson Campus Center at Rutgers University-Newark and the Gilligan Student Union Building at New Jersey City University host other JBJ Soul Kitchen locations.

Small acts, big differences

Over the years, the initiative has served more than 198,212 meals, with 57% of diners paying for their food by volunteering, according to the foundation.

Bon Jovi often helps out at the Red Bank restaurant’s kitchen by washing dishes. He has described food insecurity as “one of the most critical issues college students face today.”

JBJ Soul Kitchen noted the new location offers proximity to essential services, such as the Toms River Bus Terminal. Nearby businesses and organizations also include Bright Harbor Healthcare, South Jersey Legal Services and the New Jersey Reentry Corp.

JBJ Soul Kitchen Assistant General Manager Rob Wood said, “We are thrilled to expand our reach and serve even more members of the community. This pop-up allows us to connect with those who may not be able to visit our main location on Hooper Avenue … Our goal is to provide a space where All Are Welcome to enjoy a nutritious meal and be part of a community where all are valued.”

“We are here to create a positive impact on the Toms River community,” Wood added. “Whether you are here for a meal, to volunteer, or to Pay It Forward, every small act helps make a big difference in someone’s life.”

Following its grand opening at 101 Washington St. in Toms River, JBJ Soul Kitchen will operate 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday to Friday.

A media spokesperson for JBJ Soul Kitchen did not immediately respond to an inquiry regarding how long the pop-up will stay at the library. However, during an October 2024 Ocean County Library Commission meeting, Wood presented a proposal that called for running the café from January through April of this year.

Joining the fight:

• NJ clean energy, food security startups boosted by grant funding
• NJEDA provides $500K grant to fight food insecurity in Atlantic City
• Rutgers secures $607K grant to develop zero-gravity, water-scarce farming