Coronavirus Response Could Relaunch Nonprofit OCNJ CARE

OCEAN CITY, NJ — As Ocean City individuals, families and businesses prepare for the impact of the novel coronavirus, help may be on the way. A group of volunteers and business leaders met Monday to discuss the relaunch of OCNJ Care.

The nonprofit first formed in 2012 in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, helping people who were displaced or in need of assistance.

"The closing of businesses and other restrictions could have a similar effect for many in the community," said Mayor Jay Gillian. "I want to reassure everybody that help is on the way for anybody who may need it."

OCNJ CARE will provide food, transportation and assistance. Gillian will release more details on how to donate and volunteer. In the meantime, he says to keep an eye on friends and neighbors to ensure they have what they need.

The organization launched after Superstorm Sandy left an an estimated $438 million in damage to public and private property in Ocean City. Read more: One Place for All Who Need Help or Want to Help: OCNJ C.A.R.E.

OCNJ CARE revealed in January 2013 that the raised $232,000 in its first round of funding. Businesses received relief based on percentage of estimated loss, and families were divided into tiers based on need.

During that time, OCNJ CARE supplied also did the following:

• supplied more than 5,000 hot meals at the Relief Center in St. Peter's United Methodist Church
• distributed food and clothing to more than 7,000 people at relief centers in the Ocean City Tabernacle and Ocean City Civic Center
• worked with more than 400 volunteers to help canvass the island to assess needs
• helped more than 200 families with home repairs
• assisted with cleaning and mold removal
• placed more than 50 families in temporary housing

Governor Phil Murphy ordered Monday the closure of restaurants, gyms and other "non-essential" businesses until further notice to flatten the curve of the spread. Restaurants can still serve takeout and deliver. Read more: NJ Coronavirus: Bars, Restaurants, Theaters To Shut

Ocean City businesses, meanwhile, have made adjustments. Many restaurants who can no longer host customers began offering curbside pickup.

A few eateries chose to close entirely until further notice. Manco & Manco Pizza shuttered all its locations for the time being, keeping the health of their patrons and staff in mind.

There are no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Cape May County as of Tuesday morning. The number of New Jersey cases rose to 178, with the addition of 80 new cases Monday, Governor Phil Murphy announced. Read more: NJ Coronavirus: Schools Will Close Statewide, 80 New Cases

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