JBJ Soul Kitchen Opens Cafe In Downtown Toms River

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The JBJ Soul Foundation is bringing its mission of helping to feed the hungry to downtown Toms River with the opening of a new café in the Ocean County Library.

The café is filling the spot that had been home to Dunkin Donuts before the coronavirus pandemic, and held its grand opening on Tuesday in the library at 101 Washington St.

The temporary café will follow the same model as the JBJ Soul Kitchen on Hooper Avenue, offering nutritious meals for a suggested price of $12.

There will be a variety of choices such as sandwiches, wraps, bowls, and large salads, and an a la carte menu will be available for those on the go, officials said.

At JBJ Soul Kitchen, customers pay for their meals and are given and can pay it forward, helping those who are unable to pay but have volunteered for their meals.

"All customers enjoy a delicious meal regardless of their socioeconomic status," officials said.

JBJ Soul Kitchen got connected with the opportunity to fill the vacant spot at the library through mutual connections, a spokesperson for JBJ Soul Foundation said.

The library café is near essential services such as the Toms River Bus Terminal, Bright Harbor Healthcare, South Jersey Legal Services, and the New Jersey Reentry Corporation, offering critical services to those in need.

"We are thrilled to expand our reach and serve even more members of the community," said Rob Wood, assistant general manager of JBJ Soul Kitchen. "This pop-up allows us to connect with those who may not be able to visit our main location on Hooper Avenue," which is located at The B.E.A.T. Center, a resource hub for the community.

JBJ Soul Kitchen opened at the site on Hooper Avenue in May 2016 to help address food insecurity.

Read more: Bon Jovi: B.E.A.T. Center Creates A Community To Help Hungry In Ocean County

"Our goal is to provide a space where All Are Welcome to enjoy a nutritious meal and be part of a community where all are valued," Wood said.

"We are here to create a positive impact on the Toms River community," Wood said. "Whether you are here for a meal, to volunteer, or to Pay It Forward, every small act helps make a big difference in someone’s life."

Ocean County Commissioner Jennifer Bacchione called the cafe an "incredible addition" that enhances the community and "provides a welcoming space where people can come together over great food and a shared mission."

"We encourage everyone who works, shops, and visits our library to stop in for coffee or lunch and experience their delicious menu," Bacchione said.

The café is open Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and closed Saturdays through Mondays.

The café provided this menu overview:

For a suggested price of $12, guests can enjoy a complete meal including:

• Appetizer: Soup or Salad
• Entrée: Sandwich, Wrap, Bowl, or Large Salad
• Dessert: Muffin or Fruit Cup
• Drink: Water or Unsweetened Iced Tea

A 12-ounce coffee is available for $2 extra.

The A La Carte Options:

• Appetizer: Soup or Salad: $3
• Entrée: Sandwich, Wrap, Bowl, or Large Salad + Protein: $8
• Dessert: Muffin or Fruit Cup: $1
• Drink: Water or Unsweetened Iced Tea: Free

Patrons can pay it forward by buying someone a coffee for $2 or buying a meal for $12, to help those in need.