Unfortunately for children across the United States, lemonade stands–a classic summer pastime–don't seem to be in the cards, as states still work to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Fortunately, Country Time Lemonade is stepping up to help out kids who might miss out on making some extra cash from lemonade stands with "The Littlest Bailout."
Announced on Wednesday, Country Time will award $100 stimulus checks to the "smallest of small businesses" who cannot open their stands due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Parents can apply online at CountryTimeBailout.com and enter their email address, a short description of how their child will "juice" the economy with the bailout, and a photo of their lemonade stand.
"It's lemonade stand season, but this year things are looking dry, and those small business bailouts are going to not-so-small corporations," the voiceover in the advertisement says.
Parents have until August 12 to apply for their children. Those selected will be notified over email and will receive a prepaid gift card with the $100 in an email and a commemorative check by mail.
"The check can offset the loss of revenue from the lemonade stand and can be saved, or better yet, spent to help invest in the local economy," the company said in a press release.
Country Time said that it wanted to help lemonade stands because they're a small business that likely wouldn't get financial assistance from the government during the pandemic.
"The small business government bailouts helped some not-so-small companies and Country Time hopes to help a real small business near and dear to us – lemonade stands," Country Time spokesperson Andrew Deckert said.
The ad also points out some of the best qualities and values that lemonade stands teach: "honest work and entrepreneurship." The ad ends with a play on a classic motto: "When life gives you social distancing, make lemonade."
The new campaign is part of a tradition for the brand in helping lemonade entrepreneurs. In 2018, the brand launched the Legal-Ade campaign, which helped children cut through some of the red tape that could get in the way of them making some money during the summertime.
"Country Time has a history of helping lemonade stands when they are in trouble, like stepping in to pay for permit fees and fines, and this year is no different. Due to social distancing guidelines, lemonade stands aren't what they used to be, and we want to help kids foster their entrepreneurial spirit by offering a small relief to those who can't operate their lemonade stands this summer," Deckert said.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
