TOMS RIVER, N.J. — Dozens of homeless individuals took refuge Tuesday morning at the Ocean County Library and nearby municipal facilities in downtown Toms River as rain swept through the area, effectively turning the public library into an unofficial shelter.
Roughly three dozen people were seen occupying the municipal parking garage, the library’s west entrance atrium, and the adjacent Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen. The non-profit group Just Believe, Inc. arrived shortly after to provide assistance, offering outreach services while the Soul Kitchen distributed free meals.
Inside the library, several reading and study tables were occupied by those seeking shelter. Visitors included a mix of seniors, young students, and mothers with small children, while an Ocean County sheriff’s officer was stationed inside, maintaining a visible presence throughout the building.
Outside, the west-facing brick canopy of the library provided cover for many, creating a crowded pathway that patrons had to navigate. The atrium area, usually a space for foot traffic and quiet entry, was lined with blankets, bags, and belongings.
Inside, many of the reading tables were being used for eating and resting rather than reading.
Nonprofits respond as public spaces fill
Some professionals walking downtown told Shore News Network today, this is a typical day in Downtown Toms River since the Ocean County Board of Commissioners signed a lease with the JBJ Soul Kitchen to operate a pop-up soup kitchen inside the library.
Nonprofit outreach groups, including Just Believe, have ramped up operations in recent months, often providing mobile support near public buildings where individuals congregate.
Mayor Dan Rodrick opposes the county commissioning the library as a homeless shelter, saying the soup kitchen has become a magnet for homeless throughout the region. On any given day, they can be seen loitering downtown, on benches, inside the library, and in the muncipal parking garage.
The Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen, located inside the library, allows the library to play a critical role in attracting homeless to the area.
County officials are now pushing for a permanent homeless shelter next door to Villa Amalfi, an Italian restaurant with an affluent clientele on Route 166.
The Ocean County Library remains open to the public, but Rodrick warned that women with young children should consider visiting other branches if possible, citing possible safety concerns, including recent drug transactions and overdoses, since the county began sheltering homeless people on library grounds.
