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Rock Legend Jon Bon Jovi Partners with NJ Lottery to Fund New Community Restaurant

By jili tutorial · October 13, 2026

Rock Legend Jon Bon Jovi Partners with NJ Lottery to Fund New Community Restaurant

The Celebrity Lottery Collaboration

New Jersey rock icon Jon Bon Jovi has entered a unique partnership with the New Jersey Lottery that combines gaming with grassroots philanthropy. The lottery recently launched special edition “Jersey Legend: Jon Bon Jovi” scratch-off tickets featuring the music superstar’s likeness, with proceeds directed toward opening a new community restaurant location.

At $5 per ticket, players can win prizes ranging from $5 up to $200,000. What makes this initiative particularly noteworthy is Bon Jovi’s commitment to donating all licensing fees from the lottery to his JBJ Soul Foundation.

Feeding Community Through Innovative Giving

The Soul Kitchen Model

JBJ Soul Kitchens represent an innovative approach to addressing food insecurity while preserving dignity. These aren’t traditional soup kitchens - they’re full-service restaurants where:

This “pay it forward” system has proven remarkably successful since the first location opened in Red Bank in 2011. The restaurants have served over 250,000 meals with volunteer support exceeding 180,000 hours.

Expansion Plans

Current locations in Red Bank and Toms River will be joined by a third restaurant in Monmouth County. As Bon Jovi stated at the October 6 lottery launch event: “I will donate my fee to the JBJ Soul Foundation, which will help fund the next JBJ Soul Kitchen.”

Behind the Scratch-Off Game

Game Mechanics and Prizes

The Jersey Legend: Jon Bon Jovi scratch-off offers:

Interesting note: One $200,000 grand prize was claimed almost immediately after launch by a ticket purchased at Trenton’s Bravo Supermarket.

Understanding the Odds

While over 694,000 tickets award cash prizes, players should understand the breakdown:

This makes the game’s overall return rate approximately 60% (a typical lottery scratch-off ratio).

Serving More Than Meals

The current JBJ Soul Kitchen menu reflects the restaurants’ commitment to quality dining:

Appetizers

Entrées

Dessert

Each $20 donation covers one meal for someone in need while supporting the sustainable food ecosystem. This model demonstrates how celebrity influence can create meaningful social impact when combined with practical solutions.

As Bon Jovi’s famous lyrics go, this initiative truly shows what can happen when we “live on a prayer” - and actionable community support.