In recognition of the extraordinary efforts of frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous brands and organizations have introduced special promotions, freebies, and discounts. These offers span various categories, including food and beverage, apparel, footwear, health and wellness, and essential services, aimed at providing support and appreciation to healthcare professionals, first responders, and other essential personnel. The availability of these offers varies, with many extending through specific dates in 2020, while others may have concluded as initially scheduled.
Food and Beverage Offers
A significant number of food and beverage brands have provided complimentary items and discounts to frontline workers. These offers often require verification of professional status, typically through the presentation of a work ID or through online verification systems such as ID.me.
- Krispy Kreme: The brand offered free dozens of Original Glazed® doughnuts on Mondays through Nurses’ Week, which concluded on May 12, 2020.
- Starbucks: Starbucks provided free tall brewed (hot or iced) coffees to first responders and frontline healthcare workers. This offer was initially scheduled through May 3, 2020, and was later extended through the end of May and throughout December 2020, depending on the source.
- Circle K: First responders and healthcare workers could receive a free coffee, tea, or Polar Pop Fountain Drink by showing an ID. This offer was available through April 30, 2020.
- Wawa: Wawa offered free coffee of any size to healthcare workers and first responders until the crisis was averted.
- Sheetz: Sheetz provided free coffee to frontline workers through June 1, 2020.
- McDonald’s: McDonald’s offered a free "Thank You Heroes" meal through May 5, 2020.
- Nando’s: Nando’s offered free takeout to nurses, doctors, or healthcare workers with an ID or wearing a uniform. The chain provided 50 free meals daily at every North American location through May 17, 2020.
- Cumberland Farms: Health care workers, first responders, and military personnel could get a free any-size hot or iced coffee.
- Snickers: Essential workers could sign up for an e-gift card for a free Snickers bar to redeem at Walmart.
- IHOP: A 20% discount was available on the entire check by mentioning the offer when calling in an order and showing an official ID upon pickup.
- Hooters: A 20% discount was available for pickup orders by showing a work ID, or for online orders by choosing the "Pay at Store" option.
- Long John Silver’s: The chain offered a 20% discount on certain days and a 10% discount daily.
- Little Caesars Pizza: The brand donated pizzas to facilities and frontline workers, requiring nomination of an organization.
Apparel, Footwear, and Accessories
Several major apparel and footwear brands offered substantial discounts to support frontline workers.
- Nike: Nike offered a 20% discount for first responders and medical professionals, which could be obtained by verifying status on their webpage.
- Asics: Asics offered a 60% discount to nurses and first responders.
- The North Face: The North Face offered 50% off for healthcare workers on full-price items.
- Crocs: Crocs offered a free pair of shoes to healthcare workers. Workers were advised to check the website and "get in line" for their free pair.
- Under Armour: Under Armour offered a 40% discount code to first responders, healthcare workers, active police, fire, nurses, doctors, and EMT customers. The brand also offered 40% off for teachers and educators.
- Reebok: Reebok offered a 50% discount for nurses, first responders, teachers, military personnel, and government employees.
- Adidas: Adidas offered deals ranging from 20% to 40% off.
- Puma: Puma offered deals ranging from 20% to 40% off.
- Allbirds: Allbirds offered a special discount code for their shoes, with all sales being final.
- Lululemon: Lululemon offered 25% off for healthcare professionals.
- Levis: Levis offered discounts on jeans and other items.
- Madewell: Madewell offered discounts on jeans and other items.
- Bath & Body Works: The brand offered hand soaps on sale for 4 for $20 or 6 for $26, available through April 30, 2020.
Health, Wellness, and Beauty Products
Offers in the health and beauty sector included skincare, supplements, and mental health support.
- Puracy: Frontline workers could request soap and sanitizer from Puracy’s #HoldTheLine initiative.
- Medelita: A 30% discount on scrubs was available using the code FRONTLINES.
- Curie: A 20% discount on the first purchase was available with the code FRONTLINEHEROES.
- Theragun: A 20% discount on any regular-priced Theragun device or TheraOne CBD product was available.
- Priori Skincare: A 35% discount was available with the code TY35.
- Raeka Skincare: A 10% discount was available for subscribing.
- True + Luscious: A 15% discount was available with the code LOVE15.
- Tula Skincare: A 15% discount was available with the code Sharm (open to everyone).
- Bitsy Boba: A 20% discount on bubble tea gifts and merch was available with the code SHARM20.
- Drink Bev Glitz: A 20% discount was available with the code SHARMGLITZ.
- Headspace: The meditation app offered free access through 2020 for healthcare workers.
- Talkspace: Talkspace offered a month of free therapy for doctors, nurses, social workers, and frontline workers.
Essential Services and Miscellaneous Offers
Various service providers and other companies extended free or discounted services to frontline workers.
- BP: BP offered 50 cents off per gallon of gas to nurses and first responders.
- Hilton Hotels: Hilton partnered with AACN members to offer up to a seven-night free stay for frontline workers. Additionally, from May 4-12, 2020, booking a room under the code THANKYOU provided a room to a registered nurse and unlocked a discount of up to 50% for stays starting July 6 through October 29, 2020.
- Red Roof Inn: Red Roof Inn offered a free room through May 31, 2020.
- Mazda: Mazda dealerships offered free standard oil changes and cleaning services for healthcare workers, regardless of the vehicle brand.
- AT&T (FirstNet): AT&T offered three months of free service for frontline workers on the FirstNet plan. This applied to both new subscribers and existing plan holders who would automatically receive a service credit.
- Tide Cleaners: Tide Cleaners offered laundry service for frontline health workers and their families.
- Otterbox: Otterbox offered 40% off to frontline workers.
- Mask-Match: Frontline workers could request masks.
- Nurse.com: Nurse.com offered a free online COVID-19 course.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a widespread response from brands to support frontline workers through a variety of freebies and discounts. These offers, ranging from daily coffee and meals to significant discounts on apparel, footwear, and essential services, served as a tangible expression of gratitude. While many of these promotions were tied to specific dates in 2020, they represent a significant period of corporate appreciation for healthcare professionals and first responders.