Numerous companies and organizations have created programs to provide free products, services, and discounts to healthcare workers as a gesture of appreciation for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. These offers span a wide range of categories, including apparel, footwear, food, healthcare essentials, technology services, and professional development resources. Eligibility generally requires verification of employment as a nurse, doctor, hospital worker, EMT, or other frontline professional, often through a work email, photo of a badge, or valid identification. Many of these programs were active during 2020, with some having specific expiration dates or supply limitations. Consumers should verify current availability and terms directly with the providers, as offers may have changed or ended.
Apparel and Footwear Offers
Healthcare workers spending long hours on their feet have access to several free and discounted footwear and apparel options. Crocs is donating a free pair of shoes with free shipping to healthcare workers on the frontlines of COVID-19. FJOLK offers a free pair of shoes from their community; interested workers can email [email protected] to request a pair. Nursemates provides a 15% discount on purchases, including masks, when signing up. Kaktos offers a 50% discount on socks; workers can email [email protected] for a discount code. Third Love offered free bras to U.S. healthcare professionals through a process involving the Fit Finder® quiz and email verification of hospital affiliation, though this offer is noted as having reached its limit. The North Face provides a 50% discount to healthcare workers until December 31. Reebok offers a 50% discount to verified nurses, first responders, teachers, military personnel, and government employees.
Scrubs and workwear discounts are also available. A company (unnamed in the source) offers scrubs for 30% off with code “FRONTLINES,” along with free shipping on all orders. Additionally, a free pumping bra and a complimentary nursing tank are available through specific offers. For those needing eyewear, one brand is donating free glasses to healthcare workers, with a limit of five pairs per day.
Food and Beverage Freebies
Several food and beverage companies have provided complimentary meals and products. McDonald’s offered free meals to healthcare workers and first responders through May 5, including breakfast options like an Egg McMuffin or lunch/dinner items such as a double cheeseburger or Filet-O-Fish, plus sides and drinks. L.A. Verve Coffee Roasters provided a free cup of quick-drip coffee to frontline workers and teachers at all locations. La Brea Bakery gave away 100 meals to healthcare workers each day through April 30, between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Waterloo Sparkling Water gave away 500 free 8-pack or 12-pack case coupons to nurses and healthcare workers during Nurses Week; entry required commenting on Waterloo’s Instagram and Facebook pages for a random chance to win.
Other food-related perks include shopping benefits. Aldi allowed medical professionals with identification to access the front of any lines forming outside stores. BJ’s Wholesale Club offered shopping without a membership during designated Appreciation Hours and a free four-month Inner Circle membership. BP/Amoco Gas provided a single-use discount code for 50 cents off per gallon on a BP or Amoco fuel purchase.
Healthcare Essentials and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Access to personal protective equipment and healthcare essentials has been a focus of many freebie programs. DHAVNI offers a free mask upon request. Preppi is donating N95 masks to healthcare workers in need. Print For the Cure provides faceshields, mask straps, and door openers. Sunski donates a pair of protective goggles to healthcare professionals for every pair of sunglasses sold; workers can fill out a form on the Sunski website to request a pair for themselves or their facility. Nursemates offers a 15% discount on masks.
Technology and Connectivity Services
Technology companies have offered connectivity and device support. FirstNet, part of the AT&T network, is offering 3 months of free wireless service to COVID-19 first responders, plus a $200 activation credit on a Mobile-Responder plan for new customers. AT&T also offers nurses and physicians three free months on their FirstNet Mobile - Responder plan. Verizon provides discounts to nurses, including free additional data and up to $40 off when combining Verizon unlimited wireless and Fios internet plans. Sprint offers free expedited shipping, waived activation fees on Sprint.com, and Sprint Perks to frontline healthcare workers. Samsung offers free repairs on Samsung phones, including cracked screens and battery replacements, to frontline healthcare workers with valid ID (including nurses, doctors, hospital workers, EMTs, police officers, and firefighters) through June 30 while supplies last.
Professional Development and Mental Health Resources
Educational and mental health support is available through various webinars and services. The American Nurses Association (ANA) provides a free 68-minute webinar titled “Be Confident Protecting Yourself and Providing the Best Care to Your Patients During this COVID-19 Pandemic.” The American Association of Critical Care Nurses offers a free course on COVID-19 Pulmonary, ARDS and Ventilator Resources. Intelycare offers a 100% free COVID-19 Nurse Training Certification for nursing professionals, including one free contact hour upon completion. Osmosis.org offers online resources, including guided meditation and yoga.
Mental health services include Talkspace, which offers 1 free month of counseling via text, audio, and video calls with a licensed therapist using the Unlimited Messaging Plus plan. NurseGroups.org provides a free and confidential platform for nurses to meet with peers to discuss challenges. A company (unnamed) is giving away up to 1,000+ hours of messaging therapy for those struggling with anxiety. Wishroute offers free access to a self-care program for one month, featuring daily check-ins and tips via text.
Childcare, Housing, and Other Services
Service-based offers include free or subsidized housing and childcare support. Airbnb is providing free or subsidized temporary housing for healthcare professionals, relief workers, and first responders. Sittercity offers essential frontline healthcare workers a free 3-month subscription to Sittercity Premium, which includes tools for building a child care support network. Great Wolf Lodge pledged to donate up to 10,000 complimentary overnight stays to nurses; from May 4-12, booking a room under code THANKYOU provided a room to a registered nurse and unlocked a discount of up to 50% for guests on stays starting July 6 through October. Tide offers free laundry services and dry cleaning to families (defined as next of kin) of healthcare workers.
Other miscellaneous offers include a $100 credit for Orbit CME, a free medical symbol PowerPoint template from Template Ready, and a 15% discount on marketing services from LinkBuildingHQ using coupon code Covid15-LBUS. Amazon offers free Kindle nursing books. Additionally, frontline workers can share their story for a chance to win a pair of Cloves.
Conclusion
The programs detailed above demonstrate a broad industry effort to support healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic through free products, discounts, and service enhancements. Offers range from essential PPE and footwear to professional training and mental health support. Eligibility typically requires verification of frontline worker status, and many offers have specific expiration dates or supply limits. Consumers should consult the official sources for the most current information regarding offer availability and redemption procedures.