TOMS RIVER – A year of feeding those in need is coming to an end as the JBJ Soul Kitchen pop-up location at the Ocean County Library is closing.
The downtown location was in the former church that is attached to the library. The larger eatery on Hooper Avenue will continue to be open.
The site’s Facebook announced they will close at the end of January, after having referred more than 200 guests to local service providers, several of whom are now employed and housed. Soul Kitchen uses a pay-it-forward model. Those who can’t afford to eat are still served. Those who can afford it, pay for their meal and that money pays for those who can’t.
When they opened in February of 2025, staff said there was no set deadline for when it was to close. It had several extensions, and the last one will end January 30.
They are still open downtown from Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. For their menu, visit: jbjsoulkitchen.org/menu-pop-up/
