It’s hard to believe, but one in three students attending a four-year college struggle with the issue of food insecurity. At Rutgers University – Newark (RU-N), where more than 50 percent of students have exceptional financial need, the campus community rallies to find unique ways to remove food insecurity as a hurdle in achieving amazing things.
That’s why campus foodservice provider, Gourmet Dining, recognized there was a successful model for addressing food insecurity in their own backyard in New Jersey – the JBJ Soul Kitchen, a non-profit community restaurant that serves healthy, delicious meals to paying and in-need customers. After approaching Dorothea and Jon Bon Jovi about the opportunity, they are excited to work with the entire Rutgers-Newark community to launch the first JBJ Soul Kitchen on a college campus.
Whether you’re hungry or hunger to make a difference, the JBJ Soul Kitchen is the place to dine where locally-sourced ingredients, dignity and respect are always on the menu. Students and faculty alike can “pay it forward” by making a minimum donation of $12 and swiping an extra meal for non-paying diners. Those unable to pay are invited to learn how they can be part of the JBJ Soul Kitchen RU-N community by volunteering at the restaurant or elsewhere on campus.Everyone has access to the same delicious three-course meal regardless of their socioeconomic situation.
