JBJ Soul Kitchen Pop-Up at Ocean County Library 

JBJ Soul Kitchen Pop-Up at Ocean County Library Extended Through August

Toms River, NJ — JBJ Soul Kitchen, the unique nonprofit Pay It Forward restaurant, is excited to share that its Pop-Up inside the Ocean County Library will extend operations through the end of August 2025. This temporary location continues to serve nutritious meals to the local community while connecting guests to vital resources.

Opened in February, the JBJ Soul Kitchen Pop-Up follows the same mission and model as our other community restaurants: it is not a soup kitchen or pay-what-you-want model. Instead, diners can enjoy healthy, chef-prepared meals for a suggested price or by volunteering. All guests are treated with dignity, and All Are Welcome—regardless of their ability to pay.

The Pop-Up offers a variety of sandwiches, wraps, bowls, and large salads. For those in a rush, an a la carte menu is available, offering quick, lighter options. Located at 101 Washington Street in the Ocean County Library, the café is steps away from essential services including the Toms River Bus Terminal, Bright Harbor Healthcare, NJ Reentry Corporation, and South Jersey Legal Services.

Since opening, we’ve proudly served more than 2,600 meals in just 11 weeks. Of those meals, 45% were covered by donations, while 55% were earned through volunteering. Seventy-five percent of our volunteer diners come from Toms River or nearby towns such as Bayville, Manchester, and South Toms River—highlighting the growing local need. According to the 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, 556 individuals are experiencing homelessness in Ocean County, with nearly half identifying Toms River as home. We’ve identified 50 regular diners at the Pop-Up who are currently unhoused.

Beyond the meals, the Pop-Up connects guests with life-changing services through trusted partners:

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

Thanks to these efforts, two guests have already secured permanent housing, and four others are currently in the placement process.

As always, we welcome community organizations to visit during operating hours to meet with guests and provide support on-site. One of many success stories includes a guest who joined us without ID, and access to his medication, now regularly participating in NJRC programming and reconnecting with mental health care—all within just two weeks.

We are deeply grateful to the Ocean County Library for their continued support and commitment to serving the community alongside us.

Come Visit Us!
Whether you’re looking to enjoy a delicious meal, volunteer, or support neighbors facing food insecurity, the JBJ Soul Kitchen Pop-Up is a place to connect and make a meaningful difference.

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

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