N.J. mayor blasts Bon Jovi’s Soul Kitchen for homeless gathering near library

Sous chef Maria Skibniew with plated dishes at JBJ Soul Kitchen non-profit community restaurant at NJCU in Jersey City on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. (Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal)

Toms River Township’s mayor is sharply criticizing Ocean County leaders for a pop-up restaurant run by New Jersey native Jon Bon Jovi, arguing it has contributed to an increase in the number of homeless people gathering downtown.

Bon Jovi’s nonprofit JBJ Soul Kitchen began feeding the public regardless of socioeconomic status in February, adding a second location in the township, which has one of the restaurant’s original locations on Hooper Avenue.

Recently, the restaurant group, which is led by Bon Jovi’s wife, Dorothea, expanded into the Ocean County Library on Washington Street.

Since opening, the makeshift cafe has invited an influx of homeless people, most of whom are being bused to downtown Toms River by other nonprofits, Mayor Dan 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,” Rodrick said.

An email to JBJ Soul Kitchen requesting comment was not immediately returned. Bon Jovi’s publicist did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

Rodrick said said the township is already burdened with an influx of people using a makeshift warming center opened at the Ocean County Career Center on Route 9 in January.

Bon Jovi opened the first Soul Kitchen in Red Bank in 2011. It then expanded into Toms River in 2016.

His nonprofit also maintains locations at New Jersey City and Rutgers universities. Collectively, they’ve served about 200,000 meals, according to the restuarant’s website.

They serve three-course meals under a unique business model encouraging volunteerism – make a donation or get involved in the community. The restaurant backs its stance that it is not a not a pay-what-you-want model or a soup kitchen establishment.

The Ocean County Library Commission told NJ Advance Media the pop-up restaurant opened Feb. 6. Its lease was approved by both the library commission and Ocean County Commissioners Board.

Officials recently lengthened the lease to May 23. The extension of the lease, which was due to expire March 31, was made to give the Soul Kitchen a full three-month period written in the leasing terms, officials said.

Representatives of the library commission said the nonprofit has not yet inquired about a second extension.

Rodrick’s displeasure revolves around the facility being used to feed the needy while taxpayers spend $6.8 million on the library, he said. The restaurant, he said, has fueled an increase in emergency services in the area to address disorderly behavior.

In one instance, a man suffered a fatal overdose on library grounds, he said.

“It’s not the appropriate place to drop them off,” Rodrick said, adding that New Jersey should commit to building facilities where homeless people can receive better assistance.

Addressing homelessness has been a topic in Toms River Township, a municipality in a county without a licensed shelter.

Last year, residents contested a local church’s proposal to build a 17-bed shelter on its property, which was said to be the first of its kind in Ocean County.

Since taking office, Rodrick said his administration broke up at least two homeless camps in the township, finding their inhabitants housing. Most of those seeking assistance are not locals, Rodrick said.

“Everyone that we interact with is from outside the town, outside the county and, in some cases, outside the state of New Jersey,” Rodrick said.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Eric Conklin may be reached at [email protected].