Thu Apr 10 12:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Toms River Mayor Accuses Nonprofits, Including Bon Jovi’s Soul Kitchen, of Exacerbating Homelessness Crisis

**TOMS RIVER, NJ** – Toms River Mayor Daniel Rodrick is accusing several nonprofits, including Jon Bon Jovi’s JBJ Soul Kitchen, of worsening the city’s homelessness problem by allegedly bussing individuals from across the state into the community. While praising Bon Jovi’s intentions, Rodrick expressed strong criticism of the temporary pop-up Soul Kitchen location at the local library, claiming it has created a public safety hazard.

Rodrick alleges that the influx of homeless individuals, facilitated by nonprofits seeking to utilize Toms River’s resources, has led to increased police and EMS calls near the library. He asserts that this situation is unsafe and prevents families from freely accessing the library. He further alleges that some nonprofits profit from this system, operating on significant funding while seemingly exacerbating the issue rather than solving it. Rodrick points to one unnamed nonprofit with reported revenue of $750,000 as an example.

The JBJ Soul Kitchen pop-up, open from February 11th to May, offers meals on a pay-what-you-can basis, with volunteers filling the gap for those unable to contribute financially. While Bon Jovi and his wife, Dorothea, defend their efforts to connect people with resources and housing, Rodrick claims the library location has become a magnet for homelessness, overwhelming the city’s capacity.

Bon Jovi’s organization, in a statement to the New York Post, denied allegations of financial profiteering from the homelessness crisis and invited anyone to see their work firsthand. The mayor has stated he is considering legal action against specific nonprofits involved, although this does not currently include the JBJ Soul Kitchen. Rodrick maintains that the issue is not solely Bon Jovi’s responsibility but rather a larger problem stemming from the actions of several organizations and a lack of state support. He states that the state of New Jersey needs to address the broader issue of homelessness rather than shifting the burden to towns like Toms River.

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