Andrew Yang Promises $1M 'Coronavirus Relief' To NYers In Need

NEW YORK, NY — Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang will mobilize his nonprofit to give at least $1 million of "coronavirus relief" to New Yorkers who are struggling financially during the pandemic, he announced Friday.

Yang's nonprofit Humanity Forward has set up a "Coronavirus Relief Fund" that will give one-time and reoccurring cash payments to those most impacted by the pandemic, starting with low-income New Yorkers in the Bronx who may have lost their jobs.

The nonprofit will work with local groups, like Washington Heights credit union Neighborhood Trust, to identify which people are most in need of the cash, according to the nonprofit.

"The coronavirus crisis has been devastating on so many levels, but right now the first level is that people are running out of money," Yang said in a video on the nonprofit's Facebook page. "They're not sure if they're going to have any money coming in for a while. We can't wait for others to act we have to act ourselves."

The fund comes as wage-workers across New York City are laid off as mandated closures shut down businesses, including restaurants, bars, movie theaters and most recently salons and barbershops.

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It will start by giving $1 million to 1,000 families in the Bronx and then smaller payments of $250 or $500 to people who share their stories with Humanity Forward on their social media, according to NBC.

Those interested in the micro-grants can share their story by commenting on a post on Humanity Forward's Facebook page.

Yang also put out a call for donations to the fund and for volunteers who can help identify people who most need help.

The immediate cash can help Americans hold out for larger relief the government may offer, like expanded sick leave, payroll taxes, lower interest rates, loans to companies, he said.

"Most Americans do not have the capacity to sit at home for weeks – or months – on end and meet even basic needs," the post reads. "The most effective thing we could do is put cash into people’s hands."