Hope is Delicious

I was deeply saddened to awaken Sunday morning to the news of the latest senseless act of violence in Orlando, Florida. I simply cannot wrap my head around how or why people choose to hurt one another in such violent ways. After a week of being sickened by the news reports of the Stanford Rapist, I was in need of some serious soul rejuvenation. I woke up Sunday morning, hoping my day was shaping up to be just that, a soul rejuvenating day.

And then it happened.

My friend Beth and I traveled to Red Bank, New Jersey to dine at Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation’s Soul Kitchen. For those who do not know, JBJ Soul Kitchen is a non-profit Community Restaurant, run by the JBJ Soul Foundation, that serves paying and in-need customers.  JBJ Soul Foundation encourages paying customers to effect change by donating $20 which covers the cost of your meal and beverages and helps defray the cost of meals for our in-need volunteers.  If you are unable to pay for your meal, you can volunteer at JBJ Soul Kitchen as your payment. One hour of volunteer time earns a dining certificate that feeds the volunteer and up to 4 family members. Pay It Forward.

I’ve heard so much about this initiative and dining at this community restaurant was a bucket list item of mine, but really, I was not sure what I expected, it just wasn’t what I experienced. We arrived at Soul Kitchen a bit early and took a little walk around the neighborhood. Years ago, my aunt and uncle were married in Red Bank (although I was there, I don’t remember much about the town or what it looked like). When we got back to the restaurant, we were greeted by an older gentleman, who appeared to be a local who benefitted from the meals provided at Soul Kitchen.

Being the type of person I am (my grandma always said I could strike up a conversation with ANYONE), I engaged in conversation with this man. We chatted about the Civil War, the state of Virginia (does anyone know if the JAG headquarters is in Falls Church, because he owns every season on DVD and he swears that’s where its located), all the train stops between Red Bank and NYC, and the fact that his mother wouldn’t like where he spends some of his time (and that’s something I promised would remain our secret). While he probably wouldn’t have been the most appealing person one would want to strike up a conversation with, to me, the Champion of the Underdog, he made my day. I wish I had asked him his name, but I was so taken by his conversation with me, that it felt as though we had been friends forever.

After about 15 – 20 minutes of chatting and waiting, our names were called and we were invited inside Soul Kitchen. What a wonderful experience from start to finish. We were seated at a beautifully set table (with fresh cut flowers) and our waitress began going over the menu for the three-course Sunday Brunch. The choices were plentiful. I decided upon a fresh salad, Olive and Pesto encrusted Cod with rice and beans, and the strawberry compote and angel food cake option. Beth had a cold linguini salad with fresh kale, garlic, and white beans. The food was absolutely fantastic. Everyone was so friendly and the atmosphere was heavy with happiness and gratitude. We sat at a table with two younger girls (I later found out one was soon to be graduating and heading to Rutgers University and her sister was a freshman in high school) and their grandparents. It was wonderful getting to know them, as well! If I thought I was a grateful person prior to my visit, my gratitude exploded by a thousand after my visit.

The charge per person to dine at Soul Kitchen is $20. $10 is for your meal and $10 is to pay it forward and provide a meal for a volunteer/community member who was unable to pay for their meal (I was humbled enough to make an extra $10 donation, realizing how lucky I am, even if times can be tough for me, too.). Truly a small price to pay for the amazing service provided. I’m not even kidding when I say that this whole experience will stay with me for a long time to come.

Sure it would have been the icing on my cake to have seen Mr Jon Bon Jovi, himself, at Soul Kitchen, but in reality, I am glad he wasn’t there (although Beth might disagree). I think the celebrity status of seeing him might have taken some of the truly humbling feel to my experience NOT to say I wouldn’t love to see him on a future visit.

Despite the fact that on this particular Sunday, the world in which we live was once again rocked and riddled with terror, violence, and lives lost, my day turned into one of the best experiences and truly renewed some of my faith in humanity. If just a few more people would spread kindness, would pay it forward, each day; if people would be more willing to think thankfully and not be afraid to show their gratitude towards others, perhaps the world around us would become a far better place to live.

Until next time....