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THE COMMUNITY KITCHEN SERVES UP NUTRITIOUS MEALS FOR ALL; ACCEPTS BOTH CASH & VOLUNTEER HOURS AS PAYMENT
The idea for the JBJ Soul Kitchen was inspired by a news story on NBC Nightly News. The story was about a restaurant called the SAME (So All May Eat) Café in Denver, Colorado. The SAME Café was a place where people in need of a hot meal could be served with dignity and respect, and volunteer as a form of payment.
Joined by local dignitaries, individuals and partnering local non-profit organizations, Jon thanked the Kitchen’s “friends and neighbors” who have assisted in the two-year endeavor to open the permanent location – among them Red Bank Mayor Pasquale Menna, former Mayor Ed McKenna and the President of the Parker Family Health Center, Dr. Eugene Cheslock.
The JBJ Soul Kitchen began serving meals in 2009, utilizing two different pilot locations and assessing the patrons’ needs and response to the model, before renovating an old 1,100 square foot auto-body shop as the Kitchen’s new, permanent location.
Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen from JBJ Soul Kitchen on Vimeo.
“At a time when 1 in 5 households are living at or below the poverty level, and at a time when 1 out of 6 Americans are food insecure, this is a restaurant whose time has come. This is a place based on and built on community – by and for the community,” said Jon Bon Jovi today.
Inspired by the old adage, “teach a man to fish,” diners in need who come to the Soul Kitchen are empowered – they have earned a seat at the table for themselves and their families through volunteer hours at the Kitchen or other local organizations. They are served nutritious culinary dishes by the wait-staff in a lovely restaurant atmosphere with the dignity of having earned their meal. On the other hand, patrons who can afford to dine anywhere are rewarded with not only a delicious meal but with the knowledge that by dining out and leaving the suggested donation, they’ve contributed to their community.
In addition to the Soul Kitchen’s own organic gardens, natural food is being provided by Whole Foods Market Middletown, in partnership with their vendors, many of whom are from New Jersey and the surrounding areas.
By adopting the community kitchen concept, the JBJ Soul Foundation has expanded its efforts – from affordable housing to hunger – as it celebrates its fifth anniversary as a non-profit organization.
HOURS OF OPERATION:
The JBJ Soul Kitchen is currently open from
5 – 7 Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
ADDRESS:
207 Monmouth St.
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Reservation line: (732) 842-0900
LEARN MORE:
A Man or a Mouse? Ever heard that question before? Is there really a difference?
How about a Man with a mouse in his pocket, eating an apple while driving a racecar?
Are you thinking now, Ummm WTH??? I knowyou are at least ‘thinking’ outside the lines of normal 
No, I am not smokinganything funny, (for those who know me know I don’t need to do any unnatural stuff to be weird. It just comes natural to me.
Could you imagine? What does a race car, a mouse and an apple all have in common?
They all share a common dream, sense of accomplishment, and a day marked in historical honor and branded with glory. That amazing sense of accomplishment that comes from creativity, craziness and charm. The car, the mouse and the apple.
Dan Wheldon, Walt Disney and Steve Jobs all share the same sense of accomplishment, and day of bittersweet & branded glory. A time of mourning the loss and celebrating the achievements.
Oh yea, and they’re all crazy, square-peggin’ trouble-makin’, misfits who dared to make a difference.
October 16, 2011, Dan Wheldon, Indy 500 winner raced around the track for the last time. His legacy changed the course of lives for millions, including his wife and two very young sons. California declares this October 16, 2011, Steve Jobs day, and Stanford holds a memorial in his honor.
And on this day October 16, 1923, Walt Disney (and his brother Roy), breathed life into their dream and Founded Disneyland.
Technology, driven by speed and the course of mankind will be changed forever. And they all helped inspire me to explore, embrace and express my crazy, creative side.
Have you thought about what you want to leave behind as your legacy? How do you want to be remembered?
What kind of difference will you have made? What difference are you making nowin the lives of those around you? They all dared to be different. Dared to stand out and dared to let their fear be their fuel to birth their brilliant& creative genius. They were the crazy ones.
Crazy enough to make a remarkable difference. You have to have an edge to your personality to lead a group of others around a circle track at 225mph. To think not only outside the box, but so far out that it stretched the imaginations and innovation millions of miles. To think for even a second that a mouse could rise as a man, and rule a magical land. They also had a drive for freedom. Freedom to express their creativity, and their passion. In a mighty big way. A way that moved emotions,touched hearts, and expanded possibilities in the minds of millions around the world.
The big apple became the big cheese in California, the man became best friends with the mouse, and the course of many lives were changed by a desire to drive and deliver.
They taught us to dream bigger, drive and dare ourselves to deliver greater results. Results that will impact not only our lives, but the lives of millions. The ones we serve the greatest, when we decide to step into our own ‘crazy’ dreams.
And they were all part of the misfit square club, not the status quo of the social circles.
As a coach and trainer I do things differently. Yep, I am one of the square ones. I am not as concerned with where you are currently, until we figure out where you want to be. Always begin with the end in mind. Then seeing where you are now as opposed to where you want to be, supports you in charting an easier course.
Here is a simple process to help get you started on living your dreams and building your legacy: Start by asking yourself 3 simple questions and answering them honestly:
The moment you begin to tell the truth, is the moment the magic begins to manifest.
1. Dream:
What do I want my life tolook like every day? Engage ALL of your senses with this one. Write it all downin vivid detail. Don’t short yourself with this. In order to chart your course,you must have a crystal clear vision. Where do I want to be a year from now? 5years? What, who and where is it that I want to be investing my time, energy,resources, and precious moments on and in, everyday?
2. Drive:
What, who & where am Icurrently spending my time, energy, resources, and precious moments on everyday?The mess in the middle will become obvious and easier to clean up, once youestablish this. And:
3. Deliver:
WHY is it vital that I begin investing in other life breathing activities during my waking hours? Why is it that I want to have, go, be, do __________. Your why must be so compelling that a shift is guaranteed to begin. Your why is what will give you momentum when you feel like putting the brakes on your dreams and goals. You deserve to live a life of joy. Others deserve to be inspired by your creative expression and crazy genius. You also deserve to tell yourself the truth: for a change ♥
*Bonus Step*
The 4th step is one that will support youin not only making it to your finish line, but making it across the line, again,and again. Hire a coach. Find someone you trust, that you know will hold you accountable, and will support you in delivering the results you want. A coachwill provide support and supply you the fuel you’ll need as you make yourjourney. Celebrating your accomplishments with you, and guiding you in times ofchallenge. I am available for private and group coaching and offer my services2-4 times per month. If you are interested, email me. If not me, find someone.
You deserve to win. And you deserve to have the right team supporting your crazy dreams, keeping you on track and out of line with the sideline boo-ers and celebrating your victories.
“You can design, create and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takespeople to make the dream a reality.” ~Walt Disney
These 3 men taught us that even when you’re gone in the present, your legacy, your presence, remains. Make up your mind today that you will step out line with the status quo. The normal ones. The shadows of others is a boring place to live.
Keep going. Dare to dream. Dare to drive. Dare to be different. That’s what makes us the crazy ones. The misfits. Now give yourself some grace and start telling the truth. Your truth is worth it. Your life is waiting.
I will leave you with the words of these 3 stand above the crowd-pleasers,
Steve Jobs: “Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.”Walt Disney: “Why do we have to grow up? I know more adults who have the children’s approach to life.They’re people who don’t give a hang what the Joneses do. You see them at Disneyland every time you go there. They are not afraid to be delighted with simple pleasures, and they have a degree of contentment with what life has brought – sometimes it isn’t much, either.”Dan Wheldon, in his own words, “The nicest thing is that I’m going to be able to sleep now.” Rest in peace Dan Wheldon.
Although all 3 have passed today, their legacy remains. The spirit of all 3 of these remarkably brave and crazy leaders will be enough to make any mouse feel like a man, and deliver results that will be crazy enough to make a difference. May you give yourself the permission and allow yourself the freedom to be one of those leaders.
By Oprah Winfrey
O, The Oprah Magazine |
I think of them as sweet spots. They’re the moments when we’re immersed in the things we were put on Earth to do, the things that tap into our strongest strengths and deepest loves, the things that let us be the most “us” we possibly can, the things we are called to do. Over the years, after talking to countless people who have found their calling, I’ve come to realize there are three things you can ask yourself to begin to figure out if you’re being true to yours.
1. How does what you’re doing make you feel?
When you’re honoring your calling, there’s an undeniable sense of stimulation and exhilaration. It feels like you’re giving and getting “juice” from the experience. It just feels so right.
What stands out for me when I consider this question are all the years I spent as an anxious news reporter/anchorwoman. And then came the day I co-hosted my first show on People Are Talking in Baltimore, and it instantly felt like I’d come home to myself. Not because the conversation was especially earth-shattering or enlightening—the first guest was the Carvel ice cream man, discoursing on his flavors—but because of the feeling that at last I was where I was meant to be.
2. Does it have a positive impact on others?
Anything that makes you feel strong, connected, and aligned with your truth does the same when shared—whether it’s making pie or choreographing a dance or counseling a friend. Nothing that really calls you is ever for you alone.
3. Does it turn up the volume and increase the vibration of your life?
Whenever you’re engaged in the business of who you’re meant to be, you’re more awake, alive, and ready to play a vital part in your world. When others see your light shining, they’ll be inspired to shine theirs, too.
Whatever you’re doing right now, stop and ask yourself these three questions. And don’t worry if you can’t yet answer yes. Our 4-step fulfillment workbook will help you get there!
