Community has been an significant element of shore towns since there origins. The Soul Kitchen is a Community Restaurant located in Red Bank, which is a non-profit program established and operated by the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation. The vision of Bon Jovi was to create the Soul Kitchen which would make healthy, delicious, and when possible, organic meals realistic and plausible to the community. The Soul Kitchen’s menus have no prices and you also might be seated with someone you don’t know; its purpose is to promote community. You select what you like and can make the minimum donation if that is all you can afford. If you can afford to donate more you are helping to feed your neighbor. If you are unable to donate, an hour of volunteering pays for your meal. This Community Restaurant creates an atmosphere where individuals and families can come together to eat a hot, nutritious meal within a welcoming setting and meet their neighbors. The volunteer opportunities at the restaurant are either those that need to volunteer to provide a meal or those that volunteer to help staff the kitchen to help in giving meals to those in need. For those that need to volunteer in order to provide a meal for themselves or their families, JBJ Soul Kitchen will always have a place for them. The Soul Kitchen is truly a revolutionary and charitable concept that prides itself on really meeting the consumer’s needs. There are only a handful of places where you can actually work for a meal if you cannot pay for it. Additionally, you are getting good nutritious food in the process. New Jersey has always been on the forefront of change in America and has walked to beat of its own drum; but hopefully other places will follow in The Soul Kitchens foot steps.
I think The Soul Kitchen is a wonderful restaurant that demonstrates some of the true values of being a New Jerseyan. First of all the restaurant symbolizes this feeling of a community, which many towns in NJ are all about. Throughout NJ we see houses close to their neighbors and town centers, which are all built so that people can have relationships with others in their community and help benefit the community as a whole. Additionally, The Soul Kitchen portrays the American value of equality, because even people who can't afford the food are offered it which shows how the restaurant wants to serve everyone equally despite their background and financial situations.
ReplyDeleteI remember talking about this one day in class and it really is a tremendous thing that this town offers. I think New Jersey is not given enough credit for how much positive stuff we really do, but this right here is a testament to what a hard working, caring and giving community we have in the Garden State.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. Really nice to see people giving back to the community, especially right here in the Garden State. The Soul Kitchen really promotes friendliness and caring for others which is very cool to see.
ReplyDeleteOn my list of things to do before college
ReplyDeleteI agree that this a great example of New Jersey people giving back. Again, it shows the great communities New Jersey has.
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