Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop announced on Friday a local relief fund for the city’s most vulnerable residents as they deal with the challenges presented by COVID-19.
The Jersey City COVID-19 Community Relief Fund is currently accepting private donations to help minimize hardships for families and seniors in need by improving access to food, care and other necessities. The fund will also support small businesses and nonprofits.
The fund, which already surpassed raising $1.5 million in its first 48 hours, wants to get to $3 million in donations.
“We are in the midst of unprecedented times, and I have no doubt we will overcome the challenges we’re facing if we work together to support one another,” Fulop said. “This relief program will be a great resource for our most vulnerable residents and businesses who are the backbone of our community.”
The program will be administered through the Jersey City Economic Development Corp. and donations can be made through its website.
“The city is working daily to protect the health and safety of residents. However, we need the community’s support to address the full scope of this crisis,” Vivian Brady-Philips, vice chair of the JCEDC, said. “We know that many of our community members — both local businesses and concerned residents — want to help address this crisis, so we have set a goal of raising $3 million for the Jersey City Relief Fund to support citywide initiatives that will help the city not only recover, but also continue to move forward.”
On top of the community relief fund, Fulop’s administration already has introduced safety measures, including rent freezes and small business support, to help those facing financial hardships with a 100% match on state grants.
“As local governments nationwide face the current COVID-19 crisis and the anticipated financial fallout, we’re working to mitigate the impact on our community as much as is possible. This Relief Fund is our latest step in providing support and financial relief to those who need it most,” Fulop said.
