The Delaware County owner of a Philadelphia pub and the proprietor of a Media bar are getting a new financial lease on life as they navigate through the pandemic, thanks to a crowdfunding project from David Portnoy, creator of the popular and often-controversial sports blog Barstool Sports.

Portnoy set up The Barstool Fund to provide money to small businesses, mostly restaurants and bars, that are close to shutting down because of the pandemic. Funds go out 30 days at a time as needed.

The fund started out with $500,000 and has grown to more than $22 million.

Drexel Hill native Jim Kirk, owner of Kite & Key in the Art Museum District of Philadelphia, reached out to Portnoy for help.

Last February, Kite & Key had 35 employees. Now, there are eight trying to hold the restaurant together and comply with state COVID requirements. Kirk is paying his staff despite worsening conditions.

“We have continually tried to modify our business to abide by these regulations that have been put on us, but what is happening now is unbearable,” Kirk said.

Portnoy notified Kirk via Facetime that he was getting the money.

”This is … amazing. You have no idea,” a surprised Kirk said on the call. “Dude, you … rock, man.”

See the video call to Jim Kirk here.

J.R. McArdle and his dad, Jerry McArdle, owners of Jack’s Tavern in Media, also reached out to Portnoy. They’ve been in the bar business for 40 years and have owned Jack’s Tavern since 1988.

“My Dad has put his heart and soul into his business, working day and night for his whole life,” McArdle said in an e-mail. Now, with the pandemic, they can’t keep the bar open.

McArdle was at IKEA when Portnoy made the call.

“Man, we appreciate anything you can do,” McArdle said, before inviting Portnoy to visit the tavern.

“We got good sandwiches, food, a nice cold beer,” he said.

See the video call to J.R. McArdle here.

Portnoy started The Barstool Fund to counter a perceived lack of help from the government.

“These people aren’t going out of business because they aren’t successful, or not making money,” said Portnoy. “It’s because they have no other choice. They’ve been dealt a hand that nobody could play.”

Click here to access the website for more information, to submit a request, or to make a tax-deductible contribution.

You can also submit your application at TheBarstoolFund.com/apply or e-mail your request to barstoolfund@barstoolsports.com.