Metro

New Jersey mayor urges rich people to give to poor amid coronavirus

Let’s all pony up to help those being squeezed by the coronavirus pandemic.

That’s the message from the mayor of Montclair, New Jersey, to the township’s monied residents.

Mayor Robert Jackson’s call came with his announcement that the township has donated $20,000 to a local soup kitchen and pledges to match individual contributions by another $20,000, nj.com reported.

“Toni’s Kitchen volunteers and staff have been working tirelessly to ensure that everyone in our community has access to nutritious meals,” Jackson said. “The township is doing its part to make sure​ their invaluable work continues during this crisis and beyond.”

Toni’s Kitchen, which is in an annex of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, is a stark reminder of the income gap in Montclair.

Earlier this month, nj.com reported, a mother and her young daughter dropping off food at Toni’s had to step over a shrunken, nearly motionless figure lying on a blanket in the doorway.

Rao’s/Sovos Foods in Montclair has donated 360 jars of pasta sauce, 360 packages of pasta and 390 cans of soup to Toni’s, Jackson said.

Gelati by Mike is also donating food and staffers are helping with deliveries.

Donations to Toni’s can be made here.