To date, the JBJ Soul Foundation has helped provide support for almost 1,000 units of affordable and supportive housing in 12 states for thousands of people, including youth and veterans,” the organization said in a statement about the Foundation, which, in addition to providing affordable housing runs the nonprofit community restaurant JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank and Toms River, New Jersey, which serves paying patrons and those in-need.
"This 5-story, 36,767 SF ground-up development marks the first of its kind on Broadway since 2018, and the second largest venue on the strip," the post reads. "Structured as a 20-year NNN sale-leaseback with 2% annual rental increases, this is a truly generational chance to own a trophy asset in one of America’s busiest entertainment corridors."
Over the years, Jon Bon Jovi has become known for his philanthropic work with the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, which addresses homelessness, poverty and food insecurity. He and his wife, Dorothea, also gave back by opening the JBJ Soul Kitchen, a non-profit community restaurant with four locations in the rocker’s home state of New Jersey.
A New Jersey mayor has some harsh words for Jon Bon Jovi’s charitable initiative.
The rock band frontman, 63, and his wife, Dorothea, launched the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation together back in 2006, with the goal of ending hunger and homelessness.
Now, a New Jersey mayor wants to shut the initiative down, Billboard reports.
The first pop-up of JBJ Soul Kitchen opened in 2011 in Red Bank, and the initiative now has two permanent locations in Rutgers University and New Jersey City University. Per the initiative’s website, “It is not a pay-what-you-want model or a soup kitchen,” because customers pay for their meals and are given the option to pay for someone else’s food. “If you are unable to pay, we invite you into our restaurant to enjoy a warm meal and learn about volunteering opportunities at JBJ Soul Kitchen,” the website reads.
In February, the restaurant opened a temporary pop-up location inside Tom River’s Ocean County Library, according to CBS News. While the pop-up is set to close in May, Toms River Mayor Daniel Rodrick has voiced his opinion on the initiative, reportedly claiming that the restaurant is increasing the town’s homeless population by encouraging unhoused people to go the venue. Per NJ Advance Media, Rodrick said, “If they’re going to turn this into a homeless shelter, hell, cut everybody a check and give them a Barnes and Noble gift card.”
