October 20th, 2011
04:20 PM ET

Jon Bon Jovi opens community kitchen

Forget about money at Jon Bon Jovi's new restaurant.

That's because there are no prices on the menu of the JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank, New Jersey. Visitors there will be able to pay for their meals via volunteer hours.

The singer announced the opening of the community kitchen, which is  a program offered through his Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, on Wednesday. The project to feed the hungry will be supported by  cash payments from customers who are able to pay a suggested donation, or more if they so choose.

“At a time when 1 in 5 households are living at or below the poverty level, and at a time when 1 out of 6 Americans are food insecure, this is a restaurant whose time has come," Bon Jovi said Wednesday at the kitchen's opening. "This is a place based on and built on community – by and for the community.”

Bon Jovi and his wife are volunteering in the kitchen, and the food is provided by both the Soul Kitchen’s organic gardens and an area Whole Foods Market.


Filed under: "Find The Good" • Celebrities

soundoff (41 Responses)
  1. Feeniegal

    Wow...that is such an awesome idea. Congrats & good luck Jon!!

    October 24, 2011 at 6:41 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  2. Kat

    Has the writer been living under a rock this has been though of long ago and happening in Canada and the US for a long time

    October 24, 2011 at 12:57 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  3. Impressed!

    Beautiful! I love this because he will help so many at the same time reminding people it's important to contribute in any way you can. I have been turned off to celebrity charity lately. Many of them write huge checks but feel the need to preach and point fingers. Look what I'm doing what are you doing. It's insulting because many people do contribute to charity in a time when money is tight. This is a very good and productive idea, I would really love to support and donate to. Keep the ideas coming.

    October 24, 2011 at 12:44 am | Report abuse | Reply
  4. gringainteguc

    There been one of these in Portland Oregon for years, Sisters of the Road Cafe. It is a great idea. Good for him for serving his community.

    October 24, 2011 at 12:24 am | Report abuse | Reply
  5. MGrant

    GREAT idea Jon! You ROCK man!
    II can't make it to New Jersey, but how about putting together a compilation CD and letting the proceeds go to helping the needy?
    Let ROCK lead the way!

    October 23, 2011 at 11:45 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  6. t

    Panera's Bread (Bread Company) does the same thing at some of its locations. This is a large corporation doing this. Hooray for people who care.

    October 23, 2011 at 11:07 am | Report abuse | Reply
  7. Jean Wilson

    For years Jon Bon Jovi and the members of his band have undertaken humanitarian actions. They are excellent examples of people who realize that they have reaped success and want to assist those persons who need help. Most of their actions do not make the news, which make them heros in my book. Congratulations gentlemen!

    October 22, 2011 at 10:55 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  8. Laurie

    There are so many things he could have chosen to do with his life, when money is no concern. Yet he stands out as a star who has stayed married, has a wonderful family, and gives back to the community and the country over and over again. If 10% of the stars behaved like Jon Bon Jovi did, this country would be a different place. Love you..love your music..thank you for being bigger than life, what a great role model. Step up other stars, JBJ is showing you up big time!

    October 22, 2011 at 10:50 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  9. peacemonger

    his humanitarianism is much better than his music

    October 22, 2011 at 10:13 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  10. Izzy

    A true icon of America, and just as beautiful inside as he is on the outside.

    October 22, 2011 at 11:18 am | Report abuse | Reply
  11. ADAM

    HELPING OTHERS IS PERHAPS THE MOST FULFILLING GESTURE A PERSON CAN MAKE....GOOD ON YOU....

    October 22, 2011 at 10:50 am | Report abuse | Reply
  12. marina

    CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND YOUR WIFE ON MAKING SUCH A WONDERFUL IDEA REALITY....IT WILL HELP MANY PEOPLE IN THE AREA...

    October 22, 2011 at 10:48 am | Report abuse | Reply
  13. jlf

    what a great humanitarian project that should be repeated throughout the US. kudos to Bon Jovi and his wife!

    October 22, 2011 at 8:57 am | Report abuse | Reply
  14. Stacy

    Glad you reported on this but this idea is not completely new... there are other types of restaurants that do this already and without the media exposure. Do some follow up and find these places... they help those in need and you help those who want to help. Try One World Cafe Everybody Eats Foundation. Complete the reporting here.
    S.

    October 21, 2011 at 5:00 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  15. Lucy

    I think I am in love! A rich man with a huge heart.

    October 21, 2011 at 4:58 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  16. Vickie Cochran

    You are just the most amazing person! To come up with this idea is genius! I love what you've taken and made of this beautiful place to break bread, with family & friends. Your music has inspired many and this just tops it all. Come back to Iowa I'll see you & Richie and the boys every time! Kudos to you and you wife on this new exciting adventure. I hope many more will follow in your footsteps.

    October 21, 2011 at 9:28 am | Report abuse | Reply
  17. soup

    all types of famous people could get behind you and do soooooooooooo much more. I guess now, I know somewhat
    how the veterans feel. The veterans fought for our freedom. All I ever doen was
    work for 40 years and tried to take care of my family, the hard way, WORK. I know God doesn't put more on u than
    u can handle, but why does the RICH GET RICHER AND THE POOR GET POORER. WHY EVEN POST

    October 21, 2011 at 9:07 am | Report abuse | Reply
  18. Larry

    A Great Idea, I hope this concept spreads through the country and the world and it makes everyone part of their own communities!! Way to Go JBJ!!! Spread the Good Word to All!!

    October 21, 2011 at 6:55 am | Report abuse | Reply
  19. aunt_tea

    hello my name is Tanya
    In my community we are very impressed with the kitchen that you have just opened and it's truly great>. we had a meeting tonight and i was wondering if you could give us any advice on what we will need to be able to do something similar to your program i am writing you from North York Ontario Canada : since the early April we hold a free fresh fruits and veggie market for the Flemingdon Park area it to raise awearness on food staintabiliy and food access If you could get back to me or please CNN could you forward this to Mr Jon Bon Jovi so i could ask these questions i think it could help us thanks a bunch and when we have our SHOP program check it out on my facebook there will be pictuers up after i get home thank you very much from someone who's trying to make a different too Tanyalynn

    October 20, 2011 at 11:45 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  20. @Evel @Deja

    From a lady's point of view, I think she is flirting with you..lol. @Deja, I have to say I am getting a bit jealous. Must be another lady on here that like bad boys..lol. You know he like big cans. Don't get jealous girl when he talks about molding those melons..lmao

    October 20, 2011 at 10:21 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  21. Deja`

    @Evel Knievel get your sorry a** in that kitchen,i'm sure you could benefit from every item you've mentioned.lmao

    October 20, 2011 at 9:30 pm | Report abuse | Reply
    • Evel Knievel

      Another one of my fangirls out and about tonight. Did you think that up all by yourself, sweetheart?

      October 20, 2011 at 10:02 pm | Report abuse |
  22. @evel knievel

    I will take a 12 pack of doughnuts to go.

    October 20, 2011 at 9:24 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  23. Casondrah

    That's a great idea. It's nice of him to think of others in need.

    October 20, 2011 at 9:23 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  24. Evel Knievel

    I hear they're serving "Hair Extension Pie" and "Botox Baked Potatoes" and "Facelift Frito Pie" there. Richie Sambora has a dish called "DWI Doughnuts" too.

    October 20, 2011 at 8:15 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  25. Shona

    I knew there was a brain under all that hair.

    October 20, 2011 at 8:08 pm | Report abuse | Reply
    • Corbludo

      ... and he's got a good heart under that hairy chest too!!! ;)

      October 21, 2011 at 10:23 am | Report abuse |
  26. Anomic Office Drone

    Bon Jovi is one of those guys you only hear good things about. Keep up the good work!

    October 20, 2011 at 7:39 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  27. carrieanne

    This is one of the best ideas to come up in a long time to adress the needs of the communities right now! These restaurants are starting to gain ground and kudos to JBJ for helping take care of his!

    October 20, 2011 at 6:20 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  28. Missy

    I always liked Jon Bon Jovi. Now, I like him even more! I wish more people with money & influence would help their fellow man out. Think of the good that the rich could do with the trillion dollars that they are just sitting on!

    October 20, 2011 at 6:08 pm | Report abuse | Reply
    • Camelia

      those who sit on trillion dollars are the ones who brought these people to misery...

      October 23, 2011 at 5:28 pm | Report abuse |
  29. doug

    Right On Jon ! Fantastic stuff!!

    October 20, 2011 at 5:57 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  30. pmn

    Jon Bon Jovi..Dude you are the man!!!

    October 20, 2011 at 5:40 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  31. Beth

    Wow. This is a really good idea!! Why didn't someone else think of it before? Props to Bon Jovi.

    October 20, 2011 at 5:31 pm | Report abuse | Reply
    • S C

      Someone has! There are several of these restaurants around the country. I'm glad he's jumping in and opening another one.

      October 22, 2011 at 3:03 pm | Report abuse |
    • Jeff

      They did think of it before. http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=131663856972432200 Panera is doing this in multiple places. That doesn't make Bon Jovi any less cool for doing it though.

      October 23, 2011 at 3:23 pm | Report abuse |
    • Eileen

      Several reasturants been doing this in Denver for quite a while.

      October 24, 2011 at 3:45 pm | Report abuse |
  32. Leigh Christian

    Cheers and good will to Jon Bon Jovi – you are truly a good samaritan.

    October 20, 2011 at 5:24 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  33. 4 portalpunk

    HOOOORAAAAY !

    October 20, 2011 at 4:34 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  34. 4 portalpunk

    Our friend portalpunk is firsty !

    October 20, 2011 at 4:33 pm | Report abuse | Reply
    • not my friend

      punk says it all, I'm second-y

      October 22, 2011 at 10:31 pm | Report abuse |

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