Coronavirus Freebies and Discounts for Healthcare Workers: A Guide to Available Offers

During the coronavirus pandemic, numerous businesses and organizations extended support to healthcare workers through free products, discounted services, and exclusive access programs. These initiatives aimed to acknowledge the efforts of medical professionals, first responders, and support staff working on the front lines. Offers spanned various categories, including food and beverage, footwear, automotive services, and professional training. This article provides a detailed overview of the freebies and discounts available to healthcare workers based on reports published during the pandemic period.

Food and Beverage Offers

Several food and beverage companies provided complimentary meals and snacks to healthcare workers. These offers often required proof of employment, such as a hospital badge or employee ID, and were available for limited times or during specific promotional periods.

Krispy Kreme: The doughnut chain offered free dozens of glazed doughnuts to healthcare professionals. The promotion began on March 30 (National Doctor's Day) and continued every Monday through National Nurses Week on May 6. Healthcare workers with an employee ID could pick up as many dozens as they needed at any Krispy Kreme drive-thru. Additionally, on Saturdays, customers could receive a free dozen glazed doughnuts with the purchase of a dozen.
Starbucks: The coffee giant provided a free tall brewed coffee, either hot or iced, to any customer who identified as a first responder or frontline worker supporting the healthcare system. This offer was valid through May 3.
DoorDash: Medical professionals were eligible for a free DashPass subscription. This benefit provided free delivery and reduced service fees from participating restaurants.
Pho Ca Dao & Grill: This restaurant chain offered free meals to on-duty first responders at its locations. The offer was limited to the first 50 first responders per day, available between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. through April 16.
San Diego Dining Group: This group, which includes establishments such as Greystone the Steakhouse, Saltwater, Butchers Cut, Osetra the Fishouse, Oseteria Panevino, and Farmers Table, provided free meals to health care workers and first responders through community kitchens during the pandemic.
General Restaurant Discounts: One report mentioned a free iced tea available through June 10 for military personnel, medical professionals, and law enforcement, with no purchase necessary.

Apparel and Footwear

Companies in the fashion and footwear sectors donated products to ensure healthcare workers had comfortable and appropriate gear for long shifts.

Crocs: Through its "A Free Pair for Healthcare" program, Crocs donated one free pair of shoes per day to health care workers in the U.S. Workers could choose between Crocs Classic Clogs or Crocs At Work styles, which normally range from $39.99 to $59.99. The company reported the capacity to ship up to 10,000 free pairs per day. To request a pair, workers were directed to visit the Crocs website before 12 p.m.
AllBirds: AllBirds donated $50,000 worth of wool runner shoes to medical workers who requested them. The company noted a high volume of requests for this giveaway.
Brooks: Brooks, a running shoe manufacturer, implemented a "buy one, give one" model. Through May 10, the company pledged to donate a pair of shoes for every purchase over $150. This offer was also honored at local running shops selling Brooks gear.
Free Dry Cleaning: A Michigan-based report listed free dry cleaning services among the goods and services offered to health care workers during the pandemic.

Services and Utilities

Support extended beyond physical goods to include essential services, particularly those relevant to transportation and home comfort.

AAA (American Automobile Association): AAA offered free Roadside Assistance services to health care workers. Workers were instructed to call 1-800-400-4222 in case of a roadside emergency. The availability of this service varied by state.
chiliPAD: Health care workers were eligible to receive a new chiliPAD, a temperature-controlled mattress pad. This offer was valid through May 31, subject to supply availability.
Tax Services: Free tax services were noted as an available benefit for health care workers during the pandemic, though specific providers were not named in the source material.

Professional Development and Training

Several organizations provided free educational resources and training to help nursing professionals stay updated on COVID-19 protocols.

IntelyCare: IntelyCare offered a free, web-based training course for nursing professionals focused on COVID-19 prevention and treatment practices. The course aimed to maintain the health of nurses and patients during the outbreak. To access the training, workers could visit the IntelyCare website.

Community Support and Donation Channels

In addition to direct-to-worker offers, various channels facilitated community support for hospitals and healthcare facilities.

Hospital Donations: Hospitals including Sharp Healthcare, UC San Diego Health, and Scripps Health accepted donations of masks and protective gear for their staff.
Community Funding: Initiatives such as a GoFundMe campaign for the San Diego Dining Group’s feeding program allowed the public to contribute to free meal services for workers.

Eligibility and Access

Access to these offers generally required verification of employment as a healthcare worker or first responder. Common forms of identification included hospital badges, employee IDs, or verbal verification of frontline status. Many offers were time-sensitive, with specific end dates such as May 10 for Brooks or May 12 for certain Krispy Kreme promotions. Some offers, like the chiliPAD donation, were subject to supply limits. While many promotions were national, some were regionally specific, such as those in San Diego or Michigan. Workers were advised to inquire directly with businesses about availability and specific requirements.

Conclusion

The response from businesses during the coronavirus pandemic included a broad array of freebies and discounts designed to support healthcare workers. These initiatives covered essential needs such as food, comfortable footwear, roadside assistance, and professional training. While many offers were tied to specific dates and supply levels during the height of the pandemic, they represent a significant effort by the private sector to support frontline personnel. Consumers and workers seeking similar support should verify current availability directly with brands, as most pandemic-specific offers have concluded.