Covid-19 Appreciation Offers Companies Supporting Healthcare Workers With Free Products And Services

During the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous companies demonstrated appreciation for healthcare workers and first responders by offering free products, services, and discounts. These initiatives recognized the extraordinary challenges faced by medical professionals, including risks to personal health, emotional strain, and resource shortages. The following overview details the specific offers available to healthcare workers during this period, organized by category for clarity and accessibility.

Food and Beverage Freebies

Several food and beverage companies extended complimentary offerings to healthcare workers as a token of gratitude for their service during the pandemic. These ranged from free coffee and doughnuts to discounts at grocery retailers.

Krispy Kreme implemented one of the most visible appreciation programs, offering free doughnuts to healthcare workers starting on March 30, 2020, which was National Doctor's Day. The promotion continued every Monday through May 6, which marked National Nurses Week. Healthcare workers with an employee ID could visit any Krispy Kreme drive-thru location to receive as many dozens of glazed doughnuts as needed.

Similarly, Starbucks provided free tall brewed coffees, both hot and iced, to first responders and frontline healthcare workers supporting the healthcare system. This offer extended through May 3, 2020, allowing workers to receive a complimentary beverage during a particularly stressful period.

Additional food retailers mentioned as offering discounts or free items to healthcare workers included Costco, Kroger, Publix, and Sam's Club. While specific details about these offerings were not fully detailed in the source materials, these companies were recognized among those showing appreciation to essential workers during the pandemic.

Apparel and Footwear Offers

Medical apparel and footwear companies played a significant role in supporting healthcare workers through direct donations and special offers. These initiatives addressed both professional needs and personal comfort during long shifts.

Crocs implemented a notable donation program, offering free pairs of shoes with free shipping to healthcare workers on the frontlines of COVID-19. Healthcare professionals could claim their complimentary pair through a dedicated process outlined on the company's website.

Barco Uniforms, a recognized leader in the medical apparel industry, committed to donating scrubs to medical professionals throughout the duration of the COVID-19 crisis. Interested individuals could submit a request through a form on the company's website to receive these donations.

Ably Apparel created an interactive program for first responders, allowing them to tag themselves on the company's Instagram page to receive a free item from their website. This initiative began on April 8, 2020, and provided a direct way for first responders to access complimentary apparel.

Kerusso extended a 10% discount on all items in their store as a token of gratitude for the tireless work undertaken by first responders daily. While not a free item, this discount provided financial relief for those seeking work-appropriate apparel.

The Jim Coleman store developed a special collection of shirts and water bottles specifically designed for healthcare heroes, allowing workers to show pride in their profession while supporting a business that recognized their contributions.

Fabled, a women's medical apparel brand, partnered with The Frugal Physician to offer exclusive discounts. The brand focuses on creating beautiful and empowering workwear that inspires self-expression for women in medicine.

Clove implemented a promotion where compression socks were included free with every shoe purchase. Customers could add a pair of socks to their cart containing shoes and use the code WITHLOVE to receive the discount, providing essential comfort for healthcare workers spending long hours on their feet.

Wellness and Support Services

Recognizing the mental and physical toll of the pandemic, several companies offered wellness services and support resources to healthcare workers at no cost.

TB12, the fitness brand founded by Tom Brady, provided free Virtual Performance and Recovery Coaching Sessions with TB12 Body Coaches to healthcare members working to fight COVID-19. Interested individuals could follow instructions on the company's website to book their complimentary virtual session.

Ten Percent Happier extended free access to their meditation app to healthcare workers, grocery workers, and food delivery personnel. Users could fill out an appropriate form on the company's website to activate this offer, providing tools for stress management and mental wellness during a challenging time.

Speeko offered healthcare professionals, including nurses and physicians, free access to their app through 2020. The app focuses on coaching effective communication skills, which proved particularly valuable during the pandemic. The company also maintained a free list of COVID-19 communication resources on their website.

Supporti, an accountability partner app, provided healthcare workers with a free one-month subscription. Users could contact the company via email to receive a special code that granted access to the service. Supporti matches users one-on-one with a buddy for a week at a time, creating a system of mutual support for daily actions such as meditation or staying hydrated.

Training and Educational Resources

Some companies focused on supporting professional development by offering free training resources specifically related to COVID-19 response.

IntelyCare provided a free, web-based training course for nursing professionals dealing with the coronavirus outbreak. This training aimed to update participants on COVID-19 prevention and treatment practices, helping maintain the health of both nurses and patients during the outbreak. Healthcare workers could access this course through a dedicated link on the IntelyCare website.

Community Support Initiatives

Several companies created programs that engaged the broader community in supporting healthcare workers, often through challenges that encouraged participation while providing direct benefits.

Tieks by Gavrieli, an L.A.-based shoe brand, launched the #SewTOGETHER Challenge to encourage customers to sew masks for frontline workers. The company offered a $50 Tieks gift card to anyone who sewed 25 masks and a $100 gift card for those who sewed 50 or more masks. This initiative not only provided essential PPE but also empowered community members to contribute directly to the pandemic response effort.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic inspired an unprecedented wave of corporate appreciation for healthcare workers and first responders. Companies across various sectors stepped forward with free products, services, and discounts, recognizing the extraordinary sacrifices made by medical professionals. From immediate necessities like food and footwear to wellness support and professional development resources, these offers provided both practical assistance and emotional validation during an exceptionally challenging time.

While many of these initiatives were temporary in nature, tied to specific periods of the pandemic such as National Nurses Week, their impact extended beyond their duration. They represented a collective acknowledgment of healthcare workers' essential role and served as a reminder of the importance of supporting those who serve on the frontlines of health crises.

As the pandemic evolved, many companies adjusted their offerings, with some extending their appreciation programs beyond initial announcements. Healthcare workers were encouraged to regularly check with both their employers and directly with companies for the most current information on available benefits and recognition programs.

Sources

1. Freebies For COVID-19 Healthcare Workers
2. Freebies for Frontline Healthcare Workers during COVID-19
3. Free Resources for Healthcare and Essential Workers During COVID-19
4. First Responder Freebies During COVID-19
5. List of Freebies for Nurses During the COVID-19 Crisis & Nurses Week 2020
6. Offers, Freebies & Discounts for Healthcare Workers