Bon Jovi’s JBJ Soul Kitchen opens 2nd college campus location

Listen to this article

JBJ Soul Kitchen is continuing its effort to fight food insecurity on college campuses.

The nonprofit community restaurant concept, which was launched by New Jersey rocker Jon Bon Jovi and his wife, Dorothea, opened its newest spot Feb. 14 at New Jersey City University.

Located on the second floor of the Gilligan Student Union Building, the eatery offers healthy, chef-prepared three-course meals to students, faculty and community members regardless of their ability to pay.

Diners are invited to pay-it-forward by making a minimum donation of $12 or using a donated meal plan “swipe.” They can also cover the cost of a meal by volunteering around the restaurant or in other dining locations on campus.

In a social media post announcing the opening, JBJ Soul Kitchen shared, “We are so excited to announce our pop-up location on the New Jersey City University Campus. Partnering with @njcuniversity will further our mission to help students struggling with food insecurity.”

For the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, the restaurant at New Jersey City University is the fourth to debut since establishing JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank 12 years ago.

Other JBJ Soul Kitchen locations can be found in Toms River and inside the Paul Robeson Campus Center at Rutgers University-Newark — its first-ever on-campus community restaurant.

Over the years, the initiative has served more than 155,000 meals, with 54% of those diners paying for their food by volunteering, according to the foundation.

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

During a grand re-opening event of the JBJ Soul Kitchen at Rutgers last fall, he said, “We 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.”