Merchantville Online
Where Community Begins...
The Diabetes Foundation is making emergency back-up kits available to eligible diabetics in New Jersey who need to test their blood sugar or administer insulin. Supplies are limited and on a first come first serve basis. You can apply to be wait listed through their website in both English and Spanish. Available kits include:
Loyal Patrons, Friends & Family - First of all, we hope you are remaining healthy, taking precautions, and slowly adjusting to a new (albeit temporary we hope) normal. We miss you all very much. As you know, the state mandated that all restaurants and bars close about one week ago. Many establishments opted to stay open for takeout and/or delivery services, but we needed a moment to collect our thoughtsNow, one major question is circling in our heads. "How Can the Blue Monkey Tavern Serve the Community's Needs During The COVID-19 Pandemic?" We want to make sure Merchantville and the surrounding communities have the means to safely get a good meal. Family time starts around the table, and right now cherishing time with your loved ones and keeping them healthy and safe is what is most important.
In order for us to assess your needs, we are asking that you participate in a VERY brief survey. We hope this will give us an idea of the want/need in our community for us to possibly reopen for takeout and/or delivery services. Please be honest in your responses as we are trying to gauge realistic outcomes for us as a business and you as our patrons and people we want to serve. We would really appreciate your input and ask that you not simply leave a comment on this thread, but fill out the survey so we can more easily analyze your thoughts, as we will be sharing this over multiple platforms. If you have a friend that lives locally, please share this with them. They don't have to have been a regular. There might be people in town who need us that we don't even know about.
As always, thank you so much for your support. We appreciate everyone who has been there for us past, present, and future. Please click on the link below or use the QR code by opening your phone camera and holding it up, and share share share!
This site will help to see if you are eligible for food assistance (SNAP), cash assistance (WFNJ/TANF or WFNJ/GA), and health Insurance (NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid). From there you can apply for services or learn about additional resources. NJ Helps provides some extra help to pay for food at supermarkets, farmers markets and other approved stores; monthly cash, short-term housing support, child care, job search and readiness; and free or low-cost health care that may help pay for medical bills, doctor visits and prescriptions for certain low income individuals or families. You can submit an application online.
Dear Merchantville business community:
During these challenging times, we thought it important to reach out to you as COVID-19 has clearly already had and is anticipated to cause further impact to our small business community. We understand the difficulty of owning and operating a small business under normal circumstances and we are particularly aware of the concern you all have as a result of this ongoing situation. First and foremost., you should know that the Borough is doing everything within its power to provide relief and accommodation to our small businesses and we commit to continuing to do so until such time as we get through this difficult time. Additionally, we are communicating daily with representatives of our other local communities, County officials, State and Federal representatives to discuss the issues facing our small businesses and we are working with them to find and implement solutions aimed at stabilizing small businesses and helping them through this substantial disruption. Particularly, discussions with Senators Menendez and Booker surrounded their work to expand unemployment insurance to the self-employed, provide for loan forgiveness, rent assistance, mortgage relief, direct cash payments and grant packages. All are being discussed at the Federal level. At the State level, we have communicated with our State Assembly representatives and State Senator and they have worked hard to pass legislation aimed at assisting small business through this difficult time. Locally, we will also be asking residents to support our businesses in any way they can. We hope that some of you will consider enhancing your capability for on-line purchases of goods and services, including gift certificates, so that you can provide more opportunities for your business and so we can support you by encouraging our residents to continue to Shop Merchantville during this disruption. While we continue to generate ideas and work on local measures to help you weather the economic impacts of COVID-19, attached is an initial list of small business resources that Borough and the MBPA have put together that will be placed on our website, www.merchantvillenj.gov and updated as more resources become available.
For those businesses able to stay open during this time, please continue to abide by CDC-recommendations and directives and Executive Orders of the State of New Jersey. I will be in touch again with you soon and should you need anything, please contact us at 856-662-2472 x 303.
Be safe and stay healthy,
Mayor Ted Brennan
SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES
The State of New Jersey has developed a centralized resource to match talent with opportunities in industries on the front lines of serving New Jerseyans during the outbreak. Did you lose your job or have your hours reduced as a result of COVID-19? Businesses across New Jersey need thousands of workers for immediate hire. Learn more about who is hiring in your community. Businesses across New Jersey are looking to hire THOUSANDS OF WORKERS, including those who lost their jobs or have had hours reduced as a result of #COVID19. If you are looking for work visit this portal: https://
The American Red Cross has announced a severe blood shortage due to the coronavirus pandemic and widespread cancellations of planned donation appointments. If you are healthy and able, please consider donating blood ASAP. Camden County residents who are able to give blood should visit www.redcross.org and schedule an appointment to visit the Camden County Blood Donation Center located at 5425 Marlton Pike, in Pennsauken immediately.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has launched a coronavirus rumor control website. The purpose of this FEMA page is to help the public distinguish between rumors and facts regarding the response to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Rumors can easily circulate within communities during a crisis, stay informed with our updated myth vs. facts related to the federal (COVID-19) response. Myths such as: "There Is A National Lockdown And The Entire Country Will Be Quarantined For Two Weeks" are answered with Facts: "There is no national lockdown. As with all information online or shared via social media, it is important to verify the source of the information."