New Jersey mayor's feud with Jon Bon Jovi giving rocker's charitable efforts for unhoused a bad name

A New Jersey mayor lashed out Friday at Jon Bon Jovi's charitable, "pay it forward" restaurant, claiming the eatery is attracting a problematic number of unhoused people to the town of Toms River.

A New Jersey mayor lashed out Friday at Jon Bon Jovi's charitable, "pay it forward" restaurant, claiming the eatery is attracting a problematic number of unhoused people to the town of Toms River.

Mayor Dan Rodrick claims that Bon Jovi's popup restaurant, JBJ Soul Kitchen which operates out of an Ocean County library, is nothing more than a "soup kitchen" that's within walking distance of a school.

"We appreciate that Bon Jovi wants to feed people that are needy," Rodrick told NBC News. "But the public library down a block from a school is not the appropriate place to bus homeless in from all over the state of New Jersey and other states."

Through the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, the "Livin' on a Prayer" singer and wife Dorothea run JBJ Soul Kitchen, a nonprofit community restaurant where patrons pay a "suggested donation."

"There are no prices on our menu," according to the restaurant's website. "Instead, we offer a suggested donation to our paying customers and we ask that you Pay it Forward to cover the cost of those who are unable to pay for their meals."

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/new-jersey-mayors-feud-jon-bon-jovi-rcna200842

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