I’m always on the lookout for good ideas for drive-in owners, and this is one of them. The Calvert Drive In in Calvert City KY has found a way to help community groups and add a bit of profit during the slow weeknights of winter.

As reported last week by the Marshall County Tribune-Courier, Calvert owner Seth Manea was trying to find a way to support local groups looking for donations. He’s been keeping the Calvert open on weekends during the winter, but the weekdays were probably too slow to justify seven days a week.

Manea invited these groups to help choose a suitable movie (such as a baseball-related flick for the local baseball team), then commit to work the box office for what would have been a dark weeknight. The groups will prevail on their customers to visit the Calvert for a good time instead of buying chocolate bars or whatever else fundraisers are hawking these days.

“Manea said there have already been approximately 30 dates booked, and considers the availability sold out,” the Trib reported. He said he’ll pay the distributors for the movie, then provide a percentage of the gate profit to the fundraisers.

What a great no-lose proposition for any drive-in owner! No need to worry if next Wednesday’s weather will entice a large crowd to drive in to watch some classic film. Instead, bring on a local charitable partner to sell the tickets in advance, provide some volunteer labor, and leave the drive-in with more cash that it would have had by staying dark. And it doesn’t hurt that the process leaves the drive-in owner looking like a hero.