Comprehensive Guide To Freebies And Discounts For Frontline Workers During Covid-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous brands and companies extended appreciation offers to frontline workers through freebies, discounts, and special promotions. These essential workers—including healthcare professionals, first responders, and other personnel—could access a variety of benefits across multiple categories. This overview details the verified freebies and discounts available to frontline workers during this period, based on information from multiple sources.

Food and Beverage Freebies

Food and beverage establishments were particularly generous in offering complimentary items and discounts to frontline workers as a gesture of gratitude for their service during the pandemic.

Coffee and beverage providers extended numerous special offers. Starbucks provided free tall brewed (hot or iced) coffees to first responders and front-line healthcare workers through the end of May. Wawa offered free coffee of any size for healthcare workers and first responders until the crisis subsided. Through June 1st, Sheetz provided free coffee for frontline workers at their locations. Circle K allowed first responders and healthcare workers to receive a free coffee, tea, or Polar Pop Fountain Drink when they showed their ID, with this offer available through April 30. Cumberland Farms also offered a free any-size hot or iced coffee to healthcare workers, first responders, and military personnel.

Several food companies provided complimentary meals and snacks to frontline workers. McDonald's offered a free "thank you heroes" meal through May 5th. Krispy Kreme provided free dozens of their famous Original Glazed® Doughnuts on Mondays through Nurses' Week, which ended on May 12th. Nurses and other essential workers could receive a free Snickers bar by signing up for an e-gift card and redeeming it at Walmart. Nando's gave out 50 free meals daily at every location in North America through May 17th for hospital workers who showed their ID or wore their uniform.

Additional beverage discounts were available through various brands. Frontline workers could get 20% off Bitsy Boba bubble tea gifts and merchandise using code SHARM20, and 20% off Drink Bev Glitz with code SHARMGLITZ.

Apparel and Footwear Discounts

Many apparel and footwear brands offered significant discounts to frontline workers, recognizing the importance of comfortable clothing for those working long hours in essential roles.

Shoe brands were particularly generous in their offers to healthcare professionals. Nike offered a 20% discount for first responders and medical professionals. Asics provided an impressive 60% discount to nurses and first responders. Adidas, Puma, Reebok, and Under Armour all offered deals ranging from 20-40% off for frontline workers. Under Armour specifically offered a 40% discount code to first responders, healthcare workers, active police, fire, nurses, doctors, and EMT customers. Reebok provided a 50% discount for nurses, first responders, teachers, military personnel, and government employees. Crocs offered a free pair of shoes to healthcare workers, though individuals might need to check the website and "get in line" for their free pair. Allbirds also offered a special discount code for their shoes, though with the note that all sales were final.

In addition to footwear, several clothing brands extended discounts to frontline workers. Lululemon offered 25% off for healthcare professionals. Levis and Madewell provided discounts on jeans and other apparel items. For those needing protection for their electronic devices, Otterbox offered 40% off to frontline workers.

Health and Wellness Offers

Recognizing the physical and mental toll of frontline work during the pandemic, numerous health and wellness companies provided special offers and free products to support these essential workers.

Several skincare brands offered discounts to frontline workers. Puracy's #HoldTheLine initiative allowed frontline workers to request soap and sanitizer. Priori Skincare provided 35% off with code TY35. Raeka Skincare offered a 10% discount for subscribers. True + Luscious provided 15% off with code LOVE15, and Tula Skincare offered 15% off with code Sharm, which was noted as being open to everyone.

For physical recovery and pain relief, frontline workers could receive 20% off any regular priced Theragun device or TheraOne CBD product. These offers provided essential support for those experiencing physical strain from their demanding work schedules.

Mental wellness was also addressed through several offers. Headspace, a meditation app, provided free access through 2020 for healthcare workers. Nurse.com offered a free online COVID-19 course, supporting the professional development of healthcare workers during the pandemic.

Hotel and Travel Discounts

Several hospitality and travel companies extended special offers to frontline workers, providing opportunities for rest and relaxation during difficult times.

Hilton Hotels partnered with AACN members and offered up to a seven-night free stay for frontline workers. Additionally, from May 4-12, every room booked under the code THANKYOU at Hilton provided a room to a registered nurse and unlocked a significant discount for guests of up to 50% off for stays starting July 6 through October 29, 2020.

Red Roof Inn offered a free room through May 31, with frontline workers able to book by calling 1-800-RED-ROOF or contacting their local Red Roof Inn directly.

Technology and Service Offers

Various technology and service companies provided special offers to support frontline workers in their professional and personal lives.

AT&T offered three months of free service through FirstNet, a network backed by the federal government that prioritizes data for healthcare workers. Nurses and physicians already on the FirstNet plan automatically received the three-month service credit, while new subscribers were also eligible for this offer.

For those struggling with meal preparation during demanding schedules, Home Chef offered 50% off a meal kit, making it easier for frontline workers to maintain healthy eating habits despite their busy schedules.

Mental health support was also available through Talkspace, which offered a month of free therapy for doctors, nurses, social workers, and frontline workers.

In automotive services, Mazda dealerships around the country offered free standard oil changes and cleaning services for healthcare workers, regardless of whether they drove a Mazda vehicle.

Other Miscellaneous Freebies

Several additional companies and services provided special offers to frontline workers during the pandemic.

BP offered 50 cents off per gallon of gas to nurses and first responders, providing savings on essential transportation. Tide Cleaners offered laundry service for frontline health workers and their families, addressing the practical need for clean uniforms and clothing. Long John Silver's offered a 20% discount on certain days and a 10% discount daily. Little Caesars Pizza donated pizzas to facilities and frontline workers, though individuals needed to fill out and nominate an organization to receive these donations. The North Face offered 50% off for healthcare workers on full-price items, providing quality outdoor apparel at reduced prices.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted an outpouring of appreciation for frontline workers, with numerous companies offering freebies, discounts, and special promotions. These offers spanned a wide range of categories, from food and beverages to apparel, health and wellness products, hotel accommodations, and various services. While many of these offers had specific eligibility requirements and expiration dates, they collectively demonstrated significant support for the essential workers who served on the frontlines during the global health crisis.

Frontline workers were encouraged to verify their status through appropriate channels when claiming these offers, as many required proof of employment or affiliation with essential services. The availability of these offers varied by location and specific terms, so individuals needed to check with individual businesses for the most current information.

The response from brands during this challenging time highlighted the important role that frontline workers play in society and provided tangible benefits to those dedicating their time and energy to caring for others during the pandemic.

Sources

1. All The Discounts & Freebies Available For Frontline Workers Right Now
2. Freebies for Healthcare Workers
3. First Responder Freebies During the COVID-19 Pandemic
4. Frontline Discounts During COVID-19
5. Frontline Workers Deals
6. Where to Find Freebies During Nurses Week 2020