Jon Bon Jovi's restaurant allows diners to pay what they can
The JBJ Soul Kitchen offers patrons who are unable to pay for their meals a beautifully soulful experience as they are allowed to volunteer.
In a world where giving is a highly favoured trait, we rarely see the impact of those who give their all to help people who have been dealt a tough hand.
Jon Bon Jovi, the American singer-songwriter, has several community restaurants in New Jersey with a unique operating style.
The JBJ Soul Kitchen website describes itself as "JBJ Soul Kitchen is a non-profit Community Restaurant established by the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation. We serve paying customers and those in-need.
If you are unable to pay, we invite you into our restaurant to enjoy a warm meal and learn about volunteering opportunities at JBJ Soul Kitchen. If you can donate, we ask that you make a suggested donation and also Pay it Forward. We provide a dining experience that fosters a sense of community and addresses issues of food insecurity."
People who cannot pay for their meals can work for them. They can contribute their time, skills, or resources to the meal.
The JBJ Soul Kitchen doesn't have a menu with prices; it offers a suggested donation based on paying customers and its Pay it Forward model. This way, the money paid by paying diners can cover the cost of those who cannot pay for their meals but have volunteered instead.
The team at JBJ Soul Kitchen encourages people who want to make a difference to donate $20 (R365), which provides meals for those who cannot afford it.
"JBJ Soul Kitchen serves a 3-course meal based on American Regional cuisine, beginning with the option of a soup or salad. Each guest can also choose an entrée, such as fish, meat, or vegetarian. The meal is finished with a freshly made dessert or fruit. Our chefs prepare many of the dishes with natural, locally-sourced ingredients. Our menus update on a bi-weekly basis." (JBJ Soul Kitchen)
To date, the kitchen has served 217,348 meals, while 59% of diners earned their meals through volunteering, 41% paid with donations.
In a world where poverty is such a harsh reality, it is humbling to see this non-profit feeding model. It not only encourages a sense of community but also strengthens it by allowing people to be there for one another in a more personal way.
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