For the past 10 years, The B.E.A.T. Center has served as a hub of nourishment, connection, and support for neighbors across Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Through innovative programs designed to meet both immediate needs and long-term challenges, nearly 27 million meals have been procured and distributed to individuals, families, seniors, veterans, and children facing food insecurity throughout our community. From the People’s Pantry and Agency Pick-Ups to Culinary Prepared Meals and meals served through JBJ Soul Kitchen, each program within The B.E.A.T. Center plays a unique role in helping neighbors access nutritious food with dignity and care. Beyond meals, these programs create pathways to additional resources, strengthen community connections, and provide welcoming spaces where people feel seen, supported, and valued. The numbers below represent more than meals served or volunteer hours logged — they reflect lives impacted, partnerships strengthened, and a decade of community members coming together to ensure no neighbor faces hunger alone.
The People’s Pantry provides fresh dairy products, produce, and pantry staples to the neighbors we serve while offering a dignified, client-choice experience that allows families to select the foods that best meet their needs. In addition to helping supplement weekly grocery shopping, the pantry also connects neighbors with additional support through referrals to Fulfill’s Resource Connection Team, helping individuals and families access valuable programs and services beyond food assistance.
JBJ Soul Kitchen is a non-profit Community Restaurant established by the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation. We serve paying customers and those in-need. If you are unable to pay, we invite you into our restaurant to enjoy a warm meal and learn about volunteering opportunities at JBJ Soul Kitchen. If you can donate, we ask that you make a suggested donation and also Pay it Forward. We provide a dining experience that fosters a sense of community and addresses issues of food insecurity.
Since opening in 2016, JBJ’s volunteers have contributed more than 78,718 hours of service. The Toms River location has served 90,918 meals since opening. 65% of those meals were to those in need
The Resource Connections Team (RCT) at the B.E.A.T. Center provides free, in-person assistance with applying for SNAP (food assistance), Get Covered NJ (health insurance marketplace), and NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid). Staff offer step-by-step guidance through the entire application process, helping individuals and families understand eligibility requirements, gather necessary documents, and accurately complete forms. Additional community resources and referrals are available upon request, connecting individuals to a wide range of supportive services.
Last year, the RCT helped facilitate over $4.8 million dollars in grocery benefits through SNAP enrollment assistance. 9,230 neighbors were reached through education, enrollment, and outreach activities during the Health Navigator Grant. 1,614 were enrolled/reenrolled in medical benefits.
The B.E.A.T. Center’s culinary and meal programs help ensure neighbors of all ages have access to nutritious food and meaningful opportunities for growth. During the summer months, healthy breakfasts and lunches are prepared daily for children in low-income communities when school meals are unavailable, helping feed more than 24,000 children last summer alone. Through the seasonal Code Blue Program, meals and specially packed food bags are provided to shelters and warming centers for individuals facing extreme winter conditions and limited cooking access. In addition, Fulfill’s Culinary Arts Training Program, offered in partnership with Brookdale Community College, provides adults with hands-on kitchen training, industry certifications, and job readiness support to help build pathways toward long-term employment in the food service and hospitality industry.
Fulfill’s Community Impact program, based at The B.E.A.T. Center, works to address the root causes of food insecurity by connecting neighbors with the resources and support they need to achieve long-term stability and well-being. Through a collaborative, community-centered approach, the department helps individuals and families connect with workforce development opportunities, housing and utility resources, and other essential services. By partnering with local nonprofits, healthcare providers, government agencies, and community organizations, Fulfill creates a welcoming “one-stop” resource hub where neighbors can find support, build self-sufficiency, and improve their quality of life.
Fulfill’s Toms River warehouse serves as a critical hub in the fight against hunger across Monmouth and Ocean Counties. From this facility, millions of pounds of food and essential items are received, sorted, stored, and distributed each year to a network of food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and community programs. The warehouse also supports Fulfill’s direct service initiatives, including mobile pantries and emergency response efforts, ensuring neighbors facing food insecurity have reliable access to nutritious food. Powered by dedicated staff, volunteers, and community partners, the Toms River warehouse is at the heart of Fulfill’s mission to alleviate hunger and build food security throughout the region. Over the past 10 years, this warehouse has distributed over $7.5 million pounds of food.
