Jon Bon Jovi is known for being the dynamic frontman of the band Bon Jovi. This has been his title since the 1980s. He has always been interested in helping others so he is also becoming known for his philanthropic efforts. In 2006, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation was created.
Jon Bon Jovi Foundation Purpose
The purpose of this foundation is to focus positive efforts on the problems of poverty and homelessness in the country. The foundation helps provide resources to those in need not just by providing food and affordable housing, but also by providing support for job training programs and other types of social services.
Initiation Of The JBJ Foundation
The foundation was actually initiated by not only Jon Bon Jovi, but also by the Philadelphia Soul Arena Football Team. Other celebrities are also involved. Their primary focus was on local efforts but has since expanded to many locations around the country.
JBJ Soul Kitchen
One of the innovative ideas they have come up with is the JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank NJ. This project started in October of 2011. This is actually a community kitchen that specializes in providing tasty nutritious meals to its customers. The food is specially prepared and designed by the Soul Kitchen Chefs and is served in a beautifully designed restaurant setting. The premise behind this project is to provide customers with a restaurant experience that might be difficult for them to experience due to financial setbacks. It allows customers to treat themselves. They are then asked to pay what they can afford for the meal. This ‘pay it forward’ idea means they can make a financial donation to pay towards their meal, or they can choose to contribute through volunteering in the kitchen. Since its inception, over 100,000 meals have been served. Of these, 51% were paid for through financial means, and 49% were served to those in need and were paid for through volunteer hours. This has been such a successful venture that a second location was opened in May 2016 in Toms River, NJ.
Other Foundation Projects
Focus on affordable housing has provided almost 1,000 different housing units to numerous people across 11 different states. The recipients of this housing focus on people in all types of situations, including not only veterans but also youth.
With so many celebrities having such large audiences, it is especially important for them to give back to their communities. Jon Bon Jovi has taken the success he has and shown his appreciation by working hard to improve the lives of those less fortunate. He definitely is a good example to follow for others that enjoy this level of fame.
