Money

Cardi B and Fashion Nova's cash cavalry is still finding families in need of financial help during the coronavirus pandemic ... but early winners are already feeling the relief.

Since announcing the Fashion Nova Cares $1 million giveaway on April 8, more than 200 recipients have scored a $1,000 boost ... and it's continuing every HOUR until May 20.

TMZ chatted up a few of the lucky winners about the surprise of getting the good news and how it's helped them out ... here's what they had to say.

Elvine, a nurse's assistant from Massachusetts, tells us ... besides loading up on groceries and essentials for her kids, she's also going to pay $100 of her winnings forward to her neighbor, a mom who recently lost her hotel job.

Kizzy from Tennessee says she’s been unable to work as a cosmetologist since March, which is why she entered for a chance at the Fashion Nova money. She admittedly never expected to win, though ... until she got a wonderful text.

She says she's going to use the cash to get ahead on payments for her SUV, which she uses to drive around her 3 daughters.

Kizzy's incredibly thankful she got picked, and also believes God gave her an assist. She says ... "I’m just truly honored and blessed that they chose me."

Finally, Gala -- a single mother from South Carolina -- tells us the financial boost will help pay off mounting bills, especially since her Army earnings are the sole income for her family, which includes her father.

Gala says it's been overwhelming at times, but this pleasant surprise will certainly help out big time.

No doubt, the promise of more funds to come from Cardi B and Fashion Nova are giving needy families a glimmer of hope.

A Fashion Nova employee has contracted the coronavirus, setting off a massive cleaning process and resulting in several employees being sent home.

According to a spokesperson for FN Logistics ... the employee who recently tested positive for COVID-19 worked at the warehouse in Sante Fe, CA. Their most recent day on the job was April 15.

The rep says the worker is now home under quarantine for 14 days. The company also told anyone who came in contact with this person to stay home in quarantine for the next 2 weeks ... with pay.

We're told, all Fashion Nova employees have been instructed to stay home if they are experiencing any of the common symptoms of coronavirus -- coughing, fever, trouble breathing -- and contact HR.

In addition ... the FN rep says the area where the infected employee worked was immediately shut down and disinfected. The entire distribution facility was closed Thursday night, so a cleaning company could complete a deep clean ... using only CDC-approved products.

We're told other precautionary measures are being taken, such as temperature checks for those entering the building and ensuring social distancing guidelines are maintained by limiting the daily headcount.

As we reported ... Fashion Nova, along with brand ambassador Cardi B, is giving away $1,000 per hour right now to people needing financial relief due to the pandemic.

French Montana says the coronavirus pandemic has brought one huge issue to the forefront for hip-hop artists -- whether or not they've saved for a rainy day.

The rapper joined "TMZ Live" Friday and touched on how the current state of the world can really make you appreciate what ya got -- but it's also a scary financial situation for many artists who live check to check, just like millions of non-famous Americans.

French is not in that boat ... he says he made sure to do a lot of saving while also spending a bunch. He says that's not the case for a lot of other rappers ... and anticipates some will be holding fire sales of prior high-ticket purchases.

No, he doesn't name names.

FM also dropped a new single Friday -- called "That's A Fact" -- and directed the music video too, which is set to be released Monday. He says it's heavy on COVID-19 imagery because ... well, that's what was available while directing under quarantine.

This isn't the first time French has gotten behind the camera -- he also directed the massively successful "Unforgettable" vid in 2017 -- and says that's his other passion.

Pandemic insurance will likely be a top priority for music festivals, concerts and all other major events once the coronavirus subsides ... but it's going to be a while before coverage is even possible.

This type of insurance is out of the question for festivals like Coachella, Stagecoach and EDC Las Vegas ... at least in the foreseeable future, according to numerous people we spoke with in the insurance biz. The folks with whom we checked said they want to see some data on the likely resurgence and mutations of the virus. They have no data on COVID-19 and no way to price the insurance policy.

As you know ... these fests were all scheduled for the spring, but have been postponed to October, and that's just the dream. As you know, the mayors of L.A. and NYC have already said large crowds are going to probably be a thing of the past, at least for the balance of the year.

We surveyed the people throwing these events and they all say currently they aren't covered for pandemics, but it's definitely on their priority lists now. Problem is ... if this year's events tank, the organizers may have to eat the losses.

Steve Howell, a media & music insurance broker in the UK, breaks it down this way -- you can't buy home insurance when your house is on fire. In other words, good luck getting pandemic insurance now.

Kevin Lyman, who organized the Warped Tour, agrees ... there's no way to get COVID-19 coverage currently ... period.

If these concerts are sidelined for what could be a year, everyone agrees ... the financial blow will be devastating.

NBA player Bismack Biyombo is stepping up in a BIG way for his home country ... donating $1 MILLION in supplies to help DR Congo fight the coronavirus.

"We have never experienced a crisis of this magnitude," the Charlotte Hornets forward said ... "Seeing my home country suffer in this capacity is devastating."

"I've spent the last few weeks trying to figure out a way to help those suffering in the DRC. I am pleased to announce that The Bismack Biyombo Foundation delivered over 10,000 masks and 780 hazmat suits to the DRC this week."

Altogether, the masks and suits are expected to add up to an impressive $1 million worth of supplies to help his countrymen battle the pandemic.

Biyombo's foundation points out the area has been riddled with deadly diseases for years -- from malaria to Ebola and more -- leaving the country in danger as it faces COVID-19.

TMZ Sports has obtained pictures and video of the supplies ... and the visuals show how far Biyombo's gesture will go for his country.

Biyombo hopes the gesture can slow down the virus from spreading so the country has a greater chance to fight

One of the most famous Philadelphia Eagles fans in team history has tested positive for the coronavirus ... and now he's fighting for his life.

Monty G -- AKA the "Babay Babay" hype man -- is well-known for his signature wing-flappin' Eagles hat ... and went viral in a local news report following a blowout loss to the Cowboys.

The famous Eagles backer is in desperate need of support now ... as family friends have reported Monty has been at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania for the past 3 weeks.

According to a GoFundMe set up to help with medical bills, Monty was placed in an induced coma and required a tracheotomy surgery.

Monty is now out of the coma, but the fight continues ... and now Eagles fans are hoping to raise enough money to help him continue his fight.

So far ... the fundraiser has collected $3,300 and the number continues to rise.

76ers partner Michael Rubin's dishing cold, hard facts about how he came up with the ingenious All In Challenge -- which already has Drake, Tom Brady, Meek Mill and so many more onboard.

Michael joined us on "TMZ Live" and talked about why he felt he needed to step up to help the millions suddenly in need during the coronavirus pandemic. When it came to figuring out HOW he could help, he says he remembered the phenomenon of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

That 2014 movement ended up raising a whopping $115 million during an 8-week period ... and Michael has equally high hopes for feeding hungry Americans.

Rather than relying solely on government assistance, Michael says he believes it's important for leaders in business, entertainment and sports to make a difference. Luckily, he falls in all 3 categories and called on his friends to join his effort.

They've responded in a big way for the All In Challenge. As we've reported ... Kevin Hart, Magic Johnson, and Justin Bieber are just a few of the MANY celebs who've embraced it.

Brady took things up another notch ... not only because he's donating his first-ever Bucs jersey, but also cause he challenged Drake. All the proceeds from the celeb auctions and raffles will go to help feed Americans affected by COVID-19.

Colin Kaepernick is stepping up to help those in desperate need during the coronavirus ... launching a relief fund for minorities, and pledging $100k of his own money.

"Black and brown communities are being disproportionately devastated by COVID-19 because of hundreds of years of structural racism," Kap said in a video Thursday.

"That's why we've established the Know Your Rights Camp COVID-19 Fund to help address these issues."

The KYRC says the money raised will go toward buying food from local restaurants to distribute throughout communities, help pay essential living costs for those who can't afford it and providing information on Black and Brown communities to keep everyone in the loop on the pandemic.

On top of that, the fund will help communities receive proper face protection to prevent spreading the virus ... and work with organizations to get prisoners out of jail and in a  safer environment.

Wanna own Eli Manning's insane Super Bowl MVP Corvette???

All it'll take is some a lot of cash for COVID-19 charity ... and, get this, the New York Giants legend will even hand-deliver it for ya if you offer the most!!!

The 39-year-old newly retired QB just accepted Michael Rubin's all-in challenge ... and the package he's offering for a big coronavirus donation is one of the best we've seen so far.

Manning says the 2012 Corvette Grand Sport Convertible Centennial Edition he won for beating the New England Patriots in SB XLVI is officially on the auction block.

It's a pretty amazing ride ... it's only got 5,830 miles on it -- and Eli says he'll drive it out to you and even have lunch with ya if you win it!

"Maybe I'll even teach you how to handle this bad boy," Eli says.

Pretty cool offer, right?? But, did Cooper Manning just one-up his little bro?!?!

The third Manning brother just posted his all-in challenge package offer ... and we gotta say, it's DEFINITELY the funniest we've seen yet.

Of course, Cooper's just playing around ... but little bro Peyton sure as hell ain't with his donation package -- the future Hall of Famer is offering up a round of golf AND dinner!!