Diners Can ‘Pay It Forward’ With To-Go Meals At JBJ Soul Kitchen

RED BANK, NJ – JBJ Soul Kitchen, a community restaurant with locations in Red Bank and Toms River, announced its curbside to-go options last week. Customers can enjoy healthy three-course meals in the comfort of their own home while ‘paying it forward’ to New Jersey residents facing food insecurity, according to a release.

While paying guests automatically donate a minimum of $20 with the purchase of a three-course meal (which includes a soup or salad, an entrée and a dessert), diners also have the ability to donate extra meals for those in need.

“The emergence of COVID-19 has bolstered our commitment to helping individuals and families in need,” said Dorothea Bongiovi, Founder & Program Director of JBJ Soul Kitchen. She is also the wife of singer Jon Bon Jovi.

“Since we transitioned back to our Pay It Forward model last month, about 83% of our meals are being served to those struggling with food insecurity. We want to spread the word that those in need can still count on us for a delicious meal served with dignity. At the same time, those who wish to support our mission can stop by to enjoy a meal outside or order a meal online for curbside pickup. Together, we can do what we can to help our community during this challenging time.”

Guests who are unable to pay for a meal are invited to eat and learn how volunteering at the restaurant can support their needs. Alongside providing tasty meals, the community restaurant provides access to local sustainability resources available through the JBJ Soul Kitchen partner network.

For the past 13 weeks, JBJ Soul Kitchen provided grab-and-go meals to individuals in need during the coronavirus pandemic. Both restaurant locals served a combined total of 7,800 meals to individuals, families, community partners and front-line workers, according to the release.

The JBJ Soul Kitchen Red Bank location at 207 Monmouth St. is open for outdoor seating and offers a complimentary child’s entree with the purchase of a regular entree.

Story continues

JBJ Soul Kitchen Red Bank is open Wednesday through Saturday from 5 and 7 p.m. with pre-order pickup available between 6 and 7 p.m. Individuals interested in making a pay it forward contribution can click here.

Have a news tip? Email [email protected]
Click here to get Patch email notifications, or get breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app, download here. Follow Red Bank Patch on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on the Red Bank-Shrewsbury Patch