Maryland residents and visitors can access a variety of free offers and promotional deals across different categories, ranging from restaurant meals for military personnel to educational resources and entertainment. The following guide outlines verified freebies available in the state, focusing on Veterans Day meal deals, teacher appreciation offers, and unique state-specific initiatives. All information is derived from official reports and promotional announcements to ensure accuracy for U.S. consumers.
Veterans Day Meal Deals and Discounts
Veterans Day in Maryland offers a significant number of free meals and discounts for active-duty military personnel, veterans, reserves, and National Guard members. Most offers require valid military identification and are valid for dine-in customers unless otherwise specified. Participation may vary by franchise location, so consumers are advised to call ahead to confirm local availability.
Participating Restaurants and Offers
Several national and regional chains offer complimentary meals or items on Veterans Day:
- Another Broken Egg Cafe: Veterans dining in at the Elkridge location receive a free Patriot French Toast and coffee.
- Applebee’s: Active-duty military, veterans, reserves, and National Guard members receive a free full-sized entrée from an exclusive menu. Dine-in customers also receive a $5 gift card valid for three weeks on future orders.
- BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: Offers a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie dessert on Veterans Day.
- Bob Evans: Provides a free farm-fresh meal from a select menu, including classic breakfast, buttermilk hotcakes, and sausage gravy and biscuits.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: Military personnel and veterans receive 10 free Boneless wings and Fries with a valid ID for dine-in or walk-in customers at participating locations.
- California Pizza Kitchen: Veterans and active-duty military can choose one entrée from a special Veterans Day menu (dine-in only).
- Chili’s Grill & Bar: Offers a free meal from a select menu for veterans and active military members dining in.
- Cracker Barrel: Provides a free Sunrise Pancake Special while supplies last for dine-in customers (proof of military service required).
- Denny’s: Active and retired military personnel can get a free Original Grand Slam breakfast from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. from a select menu.
- Mission BBQ: Offers a free sandwich.
- Red Robin: Provides a free Red's Big Tavern Burger and fries for dine-in customers.
- Shake Shack: Offers a free Big Shack burger when ordering in-store.
- Sheetz: Provides a free half turkey sub, regular drink, and a free car wash.
- Starbucks: Offers a free tall hot or iced coffee.
- Wawa: Offers a free any-size hot coffee.
- Wayback Burger: Offers a free classic burger.
- Wendy’s: Offers a free breakfast combo for dine-in and drive-thru customers.
Additional Service Discounts
Beyond food, other businesses offer services to veterans: * ZIPS Cleaners: Offers 10% off dry cleaning and laundering for military uniforms. * Maryland Transit Administration (MTA): Offers free rides on Local Bus, Metro Subway, Light Rail, MARC Train, and Mobility services with a valid ID.
Teacher Appreciation Week Freebies
National Teacher Appreciation Week typically occurs in May, during which various businesses offer deals to educators. Most participating businesses require proof of being an educator, such as a school ID. As with Veterans Day offers, not all franchise locations participate in national programs, so verification with local establishments is recommended.
Restaurant Offers for Educators
- Arby’s: Some locations offer educators a free sandwich on May 7.
- Bruegger’s Bagels: Offers a free medium drip or iced coffee with any purchase, valid through May 10.
- Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen: Teachers dining in receive a free appetizer with the purchase of an adult entree, valid through May 10.
- Chick-fil-A: Select franchises offer deals and promotions on May 7 and through May 10.
- Chipotle: School staff members receive a buy-one-get-one free meal from 3 p.m. to close on May 7. The offer includes burritos, bowls, salads, and orders of tacos for dine-in only and is valid for education staff members of all levels.
- Cicis: School staff members receive a free adult buffet meal on May 7 with a coupon.
- DiBella’s Subs: Teachers receive a free side and 20-ounce fountain drink with the purchase of any sub or salad.
Maryland State-Specific Free Initiatives
Maryland offers unique free programs and entertainment options distinct from typical retail promotions.
Environmental and Community Programs
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources spearheads the "Tree-Mendous Maryland" initiative to help residents restore tree cover. The program offers low-cost and free trees to clean the air and water and enhance greenery. Residents can fill out an order form at dnr.maryland.gov to get quality native trees planted on local public land with free deliveries each spring and fall. For trees at home, coupons worth $25 are available. Additionally, Baltimore and Montgomery counties have staged outright free tree giveaways.
Online Entertainment
Maryland residents have access to free online gaming options. A platform identified by bonusfinder.com allows users to play popular online slots such as Starburst, Sugar Rush, Wolf Gold, and Big Bass Bonanza completely free. New accounts receive 2.3 sweepstake coins and a heap of gold coins to play these games. This allows residents to enjoy popular iGaming titles without the subscription fees associated with other entertainment services.
Local Business Freebies
Various local businesses in Ocean City and surrounding areas offer free items to attract visitors. These include complimentary culinary journeys and dining experiences at establishments such as David Twining's Nantuckets Restaurant and Ruth's Chris Steak House located in the Glen Riddle Golf Club Clubhouse. These offers typically require claiming an item through specific promotional channels.
Conclusion
Maryland provides a diverse array of freebies ranging from substantial Veterans Day meal deals for military members to educational appreciation offers for teachers. State-specific environmental programs also allow residents to obtain free trees, while online platforms offer no-cost entertainment. Consumers should remain aware that offers are subject to change, participation varies by location, and valid identification is almost always required for military and educator discounts.