Jon Bon Jovi has created a unique social model through JBJ Soul Kitchen, a chain of restaurants in New Jersey where anyone can eat a full meal, regardless of financial means. The restaurant is run by Dorothea Bongiovi, the artist's wife, and operates on a unique concept: customers can make a suggested donation of $20–30 or contribute by volunteering at the restaurant.
This model is not considered charity, but a form of empowerment, as Dorothea herself describes it. Those who cannot afford to pay earn their own food by contributing to the kitchen, serving, or cleaning, thus building a sense of dignity and belonging.
Soul Kitchen goes beyond food. The staff also helps the community with practical issues, such as securing housing, mental health care, and identification documents. This mission is also supported by Nicole Dorrity, an employee who once went through homelessness herself, making it easier to understand and help those facing the same challenges.
The project has not been without criticism. In Toms River, the mayor opposed a temporary lunch program at the library, claiming it attracted homeless people to the area. Bon Jovi called the program simply an effort to feed people in need with simple meals like soup, salad and sandwiches.
However, Soul Kitchen continues to receive high ratings for the quality of its food. In two cities, the restaurants are ranked first on TripAdvisor and are part of the prestigious “Best of the Best 2023” list, entering the top 1% of businesses on the platform.
Volunteers like Hugh Daly consider their work here as moments of joy, while chefs say Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea are involved in even the simplest tasks, like cleaning the area outside the restaurant./Bordo
