JBJ Soul Kitchen Pop-Up at Ocean County Library Extends Stay Through June 2025

May 22, 2025

Toms River, NJ — We’re excited to announce that the JBJ Soul Kitchen Pop-Up at the Ocean County Library will extend its stay for another month, continuing to serve nutritious meals while connecting people to vital resources.

Since our opening in early February, we’ve proudly served over 2,600 meals to the Toms River community. Of those meals, 45% were covered by donations, while 55% were earned through volunteering. 

Of our volunteer diners, 75% are from Toms River or nearby towns such as South Toms River, Bayville, Manchester, and Berkeley. These figures reflect the local need: according to the 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, 556 individuals are experiencing homelessness in Ocean County—a 28% increase from 2023. Of those individuals, 48% identify Toms River as their home. At JBJ Soul Kitchen Pop-Up, we’ve identified 50 regular diners who are currently unhoused.

In 11 short weeks, we’ve connected guests to life-changing services through our network of community partners:

• 10 referrals to New Jersey Reentry Corporation (NJRC)
• 6 referrals to the Toms River Housing Coalition
• 4 to South Jersey Legal Services
• 3 each to Affordable Housing Alliance, CREST, and Mental Health Association (MHA)
• 2 to Ocean Health Initiatives (OHI)

Thanks to these connections, two guests have already secured permanent housing, with four more pending placement.

Through our collaboration with local organizations, we’ve helped guests access housing, legal aid, mental health care, and state and federal ID’s. As with our other community restaurants, we invite these service providing partners to visit the JBJ Soul Kitchen Pop-Up during operating hours to connect directly with guests and provide on-the-spot support for urgent needs.

Every day, we see transformations that remind us why this work matters. One guest, initially without ID, and access to his medication, now regularly participates in NJRC programs and is reconnecting with mental health care—all within just two weeks of joining our community.

We are deeply grateful to the Ocean County Library for supporting this initiative. We look forward to continuing to work with the community to further our impact, while creating hope, serving all with dignity and building a healthier future for all.

Timothy McDonald, Ocean County Library Commission Chair, shared:
“The Ocean County Library Commission is committed to innovative initiatives that extend the Library’s community impact. The JBJ Soul Kitchen Pop-Up has been a notable success, and we are pleased to announce a one-month extension to further build on this meaningful partnership.”

Come Visit Us!

Whether you are looking for a delicious meal, a place to volunteer, or an easy way to directly impact hunger, the new JBJ Soul Kitchen Pop-Up in Toms River is the perfect place to connect with your community.

Location:
Inside Ocean County Library
101 Washington St, Toms River, NJ 08753

Hours of Operation:
Tuesday – Friday: 10:00AM – 2:00PM
Saturday – Monday: Closed