Mayor Takes Aim at Bon Jovi’s Homeless-Feeding Initiative

ByEthan Pineridge

A charitable restaurant run by rock icon Jon Bon Jovi has become the target of criticism from Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick, who claims the facility is attracting unhoused people to his New Jersey community. The temporary JBJ Soul Kitchen pop-up, operating out of the Ocean County Library since February, has sparked a contentious debate about homelessness, public resources, and community responsibility.

Bon Jovi and his wife Dorothea established the restaurant as part of their broader mission to combat food insecurity through the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation. The pop-up location is scheduled to remain open until May 23, according to NBC News.

“I definitely want it gone, and I want the county to stop dropping people off in Toms River,” Rodrick told CBS New York, alleging that nonprofits are bringing unhoused individuals from across the state to the township. The mayor has instructed his legal team to investigate possible lawsuits that could lead to the pop-up’s closure.

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Feeding the Soul: A Different Kind of Dining

The JBJ Soul Kitchen operates on a unique “pay it forward” model that serves people regardless of their ability to pay. “Where those who are unable to pay volunteer their time. Those who can pay, pay for their meal and donate to pay it forward,” Dorothea Bon Jovi explained in an Instagram video referenced by CBS New York.

With permanent locations in Red Bank, Toms River, Newark, and Jersey City, the restaurant network recently celebrated serving its 200,000th meal. According to the foundation’s website, 59 percent of these meals were earned through volunteer work, while 41 percent were covered by donations, as reported by People.

“If we could put a roof over someone’s head or put food in their belly, it’s quite simple: We don’t need a scientist to find the cure,” Bon Jovi told People in 2020, highlighting the straightforward mission behind his philanthropic efforts.

Safety Concerns or NIMBY Politics?

Mayor Rodrick’s objections center around the location of the pop-up and its proximity to a school. “The public library down a block from a school is not the appropriate place to bus homeless in from all over the state of New Jersey and other states,” he told NBC News.

The mayor’s characterization of the restaurant as a “soup kitchen” has been disputed by both the foundation and county officials. “It is not a restaurant,” Rodrick insisted to NBC News. “It is a soup kitchen that they put there for the homeless that they’re bussing in.”

Ocean County Commissioner Robert Arace has pushed back against these assertions, stating that the county isn’t bussing anyone to Toms River. “He’s saying that incidents have increased? We have data that they have not increased. It is not a soup kitchen,” Arace told CBS New York.

Voices from the Community

Amid the political tension, those who benefit from the restaurant have spoken positively about its impact. One patron named Michael, who has fallen on hard times and is currently unhoused, described the pop-up as “a blessing” to CBS New York.

“It’s something that you feel from the heart where someone has done something for the community,” he said. Another patron named Devon added, “It’s just a really nice place for us when we are hungry.”

The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation issued a statement addressing the controversy: “The JBJ Soul Foundation and JBJ Soul Kitchen are committed to ending homelessness through real solutions. We are not here to just move people around or force them into the shadows. Our foundation has built nearly a thousand units of affordable and supportive housing,” according to CBS New York.

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A History of High-Profile Support

Despite the current controversy, the foundation’s work has received praise from notable figures. During the 10th anniversary of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation in 2016, former President Bill Clinton endorsed the initiative.

“I came here to add my voice of thanks to Jon and Dorothea, who house the homeless and feed the hungry. And remind us all that underneath our differences, we’re not so different after all,” Clinton said, according to People. “If you have not eaten there, you ought to treat yourself.”

The clash highlights the ongoing challenges communities face when addressing homelessness and food insecurity. With a median household income of approximately $95,000 according to NBC News, Toms River represents the tension between affluent communities and their responsibilities toward vulnerable populations.

As the May 23 end date for the pop-up approaches, both sides remain firm in their positions. The foundation continues its mission to provide meals with dignity, while the mayor maintains his stance that the library location is inappropriate for serving the unhoused population.

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