Dascha Polanco partners with NYC’s Lemonade Stand to help local businesses during COVID-19 crisis

As tens of thousands of small businesses struggle to survive during coronavirus, which effectively shut down the economy, actress Dascha Polanco is doing what she can to help out.

The Orange is the New Black star is an ardent supporter of small businesses and in the face of the crisis has partnered with online retailer Lemonade Stand in New York.

Dascha sat down with DailyMailTV from her home where she is self-isolating to talk about what people can do to help out.

‘I saw several posts about businesses that were raising funds so that they won’t close, or for their employees in the meantime,’ Dascha said.

After COVID-19 began shuttering thousands of businesses, the 37-year-old knew she wanted to help.

‘I was like we have to do something about these small local businesses, because I’m a small local business supporter,’ she said.  

Dascha connected with New York City’s online retailer Lemonade Stand to create a shirt with a powerful message. 

‘Basically the shirt says “closed for good” and on the back of it is the mission statement of the local businesses,’ she explained. ‘All the proceeds go to the business during these times.’

The mission statement printed on the shirt reads: ‘We wanted to use our e-commerce platform to assist by collaborating rather than passively allowing small businesses to suffer.’ 

Dasha modeled the black and yellow T-shirt on social media recently and captioned the shot: ‘Since the #quarantine began Ive been concerned about small businesses and I think it’s important for me to focus on my community that has supported me and those who are part of our NYC culture.’

‘My family owned small businesses and I know the hustle it takes to manage one. Together with my friends @lemonadestandny, I am rising to the cause to support small businesses starting with @locksmithbar in #washingtonheights one of my favorite spots.’ 

Meanwhile, Dascha is home under self-quarantine passing the time by meditating, doing some self-care skincare and keeping in touch with some of her OITNB co-stars.

‘With the Orange girls, [I] love them to death,’ she gushed. ‘I will forever be in their life and they will forever be in mine. We are the orange sisters.’ 

Dascha was a fan favorite of the Netflix drama inmate Dayanara Diaz for all seven successful seasons. 

As many people are stuck in doors these days, she recommends hunkering down to binge the series as a good break from the news. 

‘Well I think it’s a great distraction because it is seven seasons. so your time will be consumed,’ she said. ‘There’s comedy, there’s drama, there’s so many elements to it.’ 

Reflecting on the show, Dascha noted how groundbreaking it was for inclusivity on television.

‘It opened the door for people like me and a lot of diversity and inclusion,’ she said. ‘So it’s part of history, it will be forever relevant in time and it also educates a lot on prison reform.’

The star’s next big project, the theatrical release of In the Heights, was unfortunately postponed due to the coronavirus.

But Dascha exclusively told DailyMailTV last week that she is in full agreement with the decision, explaining that she doesn’t think a streamed version would do the project justice. 

‘When I heard that they were postponing and they were going to delay it, I felt that it was the right thing to do,’ Dascha explained.

‘I’d rather it be shown on a big screen and we all enjoy it that way, than for it to be seen and just thrown out there, especially now.’  

‘I’m trying to find the silver lining in everything,’ Dascha told DailyMailTV. ‘And, hey, it’s all for a good reason. We are going to wait, but we are going to hit that ground running and surprise everyone with this beautiful gift.’