Advertisement
Jon Bon Jovi’s Soul Kitchen is Rock & Roll Charity Done Right
Jon Bon Jovi is more than just an iconic rock star who has been entertaining audiences for decades, he’s also one of the most charitable celebrities around.
Bon Jovi first rose to fame in the 1980s with his band, Bon Jovi. Together they created a distinctive sound that blended hard rock and glam metal with elements of pop and new wave, crafting countless hits such as “Livin’ on a Prayer”, “You Give Love a Bad Name”, “Wanted Dead or Alive”, “I’ll Be There for You, and “Bad Medicine.” During an early-90s hiatus, Jon also became a successful solo artist thanks to the chart-topping single such as “Blaze of Glory.”
Bon Jovi reconvened in 1992 for the album Keep the Faith, which featured the smash hit “Bed of Roses.” Two years later the band released “Always”, their most successful single up to that point. Following the international smash 1995 album These Days, the band took another break before returning in 2000 with the massive hit “It’s My Life.” The band has been chugging along at a steady pace since.
In addition to his musical talent, Jon Bon Jovi is also well known for his charitable work. He founded the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation in 2006 which is dedicated to providing support to those facing poverty and homelessness across America. The foundation works towards building strong communities by providing housing assistance, meals, medical help and job training programs. However, that all just set the stage for Jon’s greatest charitable achievement: The Soul Kitchen.
Jon Bon Jovi’s Soul Kitchen is a beautiful example of what can be achieved when generosity and compassion come together. Located in New Jersey, The Soul Kitchen has been offering free meals to those struggling with food insecurity since 2011. Jon is so committed to the venture that he can often be found washing dishes in the restaurant’s kitchen.
At the restaurant, guests are asked to make a donation if they can. But if they can’t, no problem! Everyone is welcome regardless of their financial situation—that’s one of the main values behind Jon Bon Jovi’s project. He wanted to create a safe place where everyone could come together over delicious meals; this idea was not just designed to help those in need but also to end the stigma associated with hunger. The restaurant utilizes volunteers and local ingredients from farmers markets to provide its meals.
On top of serving up tasty dishes, The Soul Kitchen also offers job training classes for those looking for employment opportunities in the food service industry. Every month, many of these trainees go on to get hired at other restaurants around the area or even start their own businesses!
Jon Bon Jovi’s Soul Kitchen has become an inspiring example of how giving back can make a huge difference in people’s lives. It may take more than just good food and training classes to end hunger across the globe, but it definitely starts with having heart—something Jon Bon Jovi knows all too well!