“Our desire is to make sure that anyone who needs a meal knows that they can come and see us, and we’ll provide them with that nutritious meal.”
Covid-19 shut down Bon Jovi’s summer tour, so he took a job doing what he can
(CNN) When rock band Bon Jovi canceled its summer tour due to the global pandemic, front man Jon Bon Jovi didn’t waste a beat turning his focus to those in need in his own backyard.
At his JBJ Soul Kitchen, a non-profit community restaurant in New Jersey, diners pay a cash donation that covers their meal and a meal for someone in need.
But amid earlier Covid-19 restrictions, the restaurant — run by the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation — could only remain open for takeout.
Without its regular in-house volunteer base, the kitchen kept operations afloat with the help of the rock star dishwasher.
“There’s an in-need population here in New Jersey who depend on us,” Bon Jovi told CNN in April. “Hence, the All-Star Hall of Fame dishwasher is back in business.”
Bon Jovi helped out five days a week until just recently, when the restaurant entered phase two and began seating customers per new guidelines.
Over its 13-week takeout period, the restaurant provided more than 7,800 to-go meals to individuals, families, community partners and frontline workers.
At one point, Bon Jovi’s wife, Dorothea, took a picture of him washing dishes … Read more.