Free Coffee for Healthcare Workers and First Responders
Starbucks is giving coffee away. Healthcare workers and first responders can get a free cup of coffee for the entire month of December, 2020. This perk is a way for the company to say thank you.
The promotion for frontline workers will run through New Year’s Eve according to a company press release. Participating US stores offer a free tall brewed coffee – hot or iced – to anyone who identifies as a healthcare worker, firefighter, paramedic, law enforcement officer, active-duty military personnel, hospital worker, and a slew of other essential workers who have been working during the coronavirus pandemic.
“It has been an extraordinarily difficult year, especially for the front-line responders who are serving our communities,” Virginia Tenpenny, Starbucks vice president, Global Social Impact said in the press release. “We want to show our deep gratitude for those who support and protect us every day with a small gesture of kindness and a cup of coffee.”
You’ve been there for our communities, we’re here to support you. ????
For the month of December, we’re offering front-line responders a free tall brewed or iced coffee at participating US stores. From all our partners, thank you. pic.twitter.com/L6aP8Y7TgH
— Starbucks Coffee (@Starbucks) December 1, 2020
There is no limit to the number of times, essential workers can receive free coffee, the company told CBS News. The coffee company is also giving frontline responders gift cards and care packages for the holiday season.
But these giveaways are just part of the actions the coffee chain has done during the pandemic including donating $100,000 to the National Alliance on Mental Health. To date, Starbucks has given more than 2 million free cups of coffee, 120,000 cups of coffee and gift cards to local hospitals, 110 pallets of K-Cups to hospitals and military units, and gave care packages and whole bean coffee bags through Operation Gratitude according to the press release.
Starbucks is not the only company that is helping healthcare workers and first responders. Apple donated 30 million masks to health care workers. Uber gave 10 million free rides and food deliveries. And Airbnb helped find housing for emergency workers for free or at reduced prices. The number of businesses around the globe that have stepped up to help is staggering.
