Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation’s JBJ Soul Kitchen and their partner organization Zzak G. Applaud Our Kids Foundation use food and music, respectively, to encourage fellowship, caring, and inspiration for all members of their communities, especially for those who are marginalized.
The notions of community and kindness are anchored in the heart and embedded in the soul of these organizations, shaping how they engage with their communities. JBJ Soul Kitchen and Applaud Our Kids are community-facing nonprofits committed to eliminating financial barriers and connecting people with resources and opportunities.
Theirs is a reciprocal model in which benefits accrue in several directions: folks who benefit from these resources can also contribute to the well-being of others, while community members who wish to pitch in can do so in multiple ways, including volunteering, participating in events, and making donations.
Food, friendship, hope
of JBJ Soul Kitchen, a project of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, operate on a “pay it forward” model. “JBJ Soul Kitchen is a community restaurant where everyone is welcome regardless of their ability to pay,” explains community coordinator Joanne Gwin.
While the menus don’t list any prices, both paying and non-paying guests are encouraged to give back in various ways. “Guests who can support our mission are asked for a $20 donation for their meal and to offer an additional donation to ‘pay it forward’ for the meal of someone who may be experiencing financial difficulty. If someone is unable to pay for their meal, they dine with us at no charge and are invited to ‘pay it forward’ by volunteering their time. We are then offering a hand-up, not a handout.”
At JBJ Soul Kitchen, the table is set with much more than just food—it offers friendship, kindness, and respect. It also allows access to community resources that might otherwise go untapped. “This gives us an opportunity to connect guests with support for needs such as mental health, addiction recovery, homelessness, and job loss,” notes Gwin. “Local partner organizations help guests navigate available services and find resources that fit their needs.”
At the heart of the mission lie food and camaraderie. The menu of farm-to-table, healthy, seasonal meals is shared by all, for as Gwin enthuses, “all our guests dine together in the restaurant, as we are all one community.”
Creativity, kindness, connection
The Zzak G. Applaud Our Kids Foundation (AOK) believes that music is vital food for the soul. Their bywords are creativity, kindness, and connection.
Sisters Jodi and Melissa Grinwald founded AOK in memory of their father Zzak, who was unable to afford the vocal lessons he so ardently desired as a child. “He truly believed that a person’s financial situation should not be a barrier for pursuing [their] dreams,” Jodi Grinwald remembers. “He was our positivity trainer, our mentor, our best friend, our rock.”
Creativity is exemplified in one of the essential missions of AOK: to provide scholarship funding for children with financial constrictions to take ongoing lessons in the performing arts, including vocal instruction, dance, acting, and instrumental music.
The benefits go far beyond the instruction itself, as Jodi Grinwald points out: “For a child who is nonverbal or struggles to communicate, the arts can become their voice. For a child searching for acceptance, a performing arts community can become an extended family. And for a young person navigating challenges at home, at school, or within themselves, the arts can provide a safe and meaningful place where they can express themselves, connect with others, and discover who they are.”
Kindness shows itself in the AOK Performance Group, a collection of youth volunteers who showcase their performing arts talents in service of the organization’s mission—one of their regular appearances being at JBJ Soul Kitchen.
And for those who cannot attend scheduled classes, the organization emphasizes connection by finding and funding instructors to teach within existing venues. “Every child deserves the opportunity to discover what the arts might unlock within them,” Jodi Grinwald declares.
Body, mind, soul
For both of these admirable organizations, the basic components of sustenance and education are means to a much greater end: nourishing the soul.
Joanne Gwin of JBJ Soul Kitchen lauds the connection with AOK: “We value this partnership because our missions are rooted in dignity, respect, and inclusiveness, regardless of income or social status.”
And Jodi Grinwald sums up the heart of AOK: “We are providing opportunities for children to discover what they are capable of, to be seen and celebrated, and to have a place where they know they belong. That is what makes this work so gratifying.”
Multiple studies have shown that psychological dynamics are strongly interrelated with the immune response. By helping individuals cope with stress, social support may help regulate immune responses, keeping the body healthier.