The economy sucks and pigs are being blamed for zombie attacks (wait, did I get that swine flu thing wrong?), but luckily Mars has come up with a way to help everyone out. No, they’re not bailing out any banks or handing out surgical masks; instead, they’re giving away free chocolate. And lots of it!

In a campaign unleashed on the world this past Thursday, Mars has started giving away full size chocolate bars to unsuspecting passersby, in addition to unveiling their Free Chocolate Fridays program at www.realchocolate.com. Through the end of September, you can register on Fridays to receive one of 250,000 available coupons for a Mars chocolate bar. You have to be quick, though – if you take more than 5 minutes to register, you won’t get it. Registration starts at 9am on Fridays and ends at midnight (assuming all the coupons aren’t gone long before).

So forget your money troubles and germophobia and go get yourself some free chocolate. What could be sweeter?

• Mars Real Chocolate Relief Act Website
• Mars Website