More than two years after it was launched, the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund is being shut down. The fund, which gave more than $65 million in grants to almost 600 organizations statewide, was founded by first lady Tammy Murphy to help combat the hardships brought on by the pandemic. It helped to keep food pantries and soup kitchens operating throughout the health crisis, and provide grants to child care groups, housing assistance, tutoring programs and mental health organizations.
The fund kicked off with a star-studded virtual benefit concert in April 2020. Jersey 4 Jersey brought out New Jersey notables Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Danny DeVito and Chris Rock and raised a lot of cash, but will wind down as the state looks to move beyond the pandemic phase.
