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Jon Bon Jovi's JBJ Soul Kitchen Faces Local Backlash Over Library Pop-Up

Toms River mayor criticizes the initiative for safety concerns, while county commissioners defend its role in addressing food insecurity.

The entrance to the main branch of the Ocean County Library in Toms River, April 3, 2025.
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Overview

  • The JBJ Soul Kitchen pop-up opened in February 2025 at the Toms River branch of the Ocean County Library, with its lease set to expire in May.
  • Mayor Daniel Rodrick claims the pop-up has turned the library into a de facto homeless shelter, raising safety concerns for residents.
  • Ocean County commissioners dispute the mayor's claims, citing data that shows no increase in safety incidents linked to the pop-up.
  • JBJ Soul Kitchen, founded by Jon Bon Jovi and his wife Dorothea, has served over 208,000 meals and connects patrons to resources like mental health support and housing.
  • The initiative has drawn praise for its innovative pay-it-forward model but highlights tensions between social outreach programs and local governance.