Lockdown Freebies Digital Content Food Deals And Support Offers During Pandemic And Shutdowns

During periods of restricted movement and economic uncertainty, many businesses have extended free offers and special deals to support consumers. The COVID-19 pandemic and government shutdowns prompted companies across various sectors to provide free digital content, food discounts, and specialized support programs. This article examines the types of freebies available during these challenging periods, focusing on entertainment options, educational resources, food and beverage promotions, and targeted support programs for specific groups.

Digital Entertainment and Educational Freebies

The lockdown period saw numerous digital entertainment and educational resources become available at no cost. Comic book publishers responded to the nationwide lockdown by offering digital freebies to fans. Several publishing houses made their content available to help people stay occupied during the unprecedented times.

2000AD, a prominent comic publisher, made a variety of free single issues and samplers available on their website. Notably, they made Judge Dredd: Case Files #05 free, a 384-page collection that users could "buy" and keep permanently. The ebook was available in cbz and pdf formats through their official website.

DC Comics, while not making their superhero comics free, offered several hundred pounds worth of Scooby Doo comics for free ownership. These digital offerings provided entertainment value without requiring physical access to stores.

Beyond comics, numerous companies extended free access to their platforms and services during the pandemic. Microsoft offered six months of free access to Teams Premium, facilitating remote communication and collaboration. Epic Games made popular titles like Watch Dogs and The Stanley Parable available for free to PC gamers for a limited time. Additionally, Steam provided access to more than 40 new game previews through their platform.

Educational opportunities also expanded during lockdown. Ivy League universities made 450 free online courses available to the public, providing valuable learning experiences without cost barriers. These courses covered a wide range of subjects, allowing individuals to develop new skills or explore interests while at home.

Loom, a video recording and sharing service, made significant changes to their offerings during the pandemic. They took down the paywall for education, making Loom Pro permanently free for students and teachers using Loom for Classroom. Additionally, they removed recording limits on their free plan, cut the price in half, and extended all trials from 15 to 30 days, recognizing the need for enhanced communication tools during remote learning and work.

Food and Beverage Promotions

Food service companies implemented various promotional strategies to support consumers during periods of restricted movement. Burger King offered two free kids meals with each order through their app during a specific period (March 23-April 6). This promotion helped families manage meal costs while children were home from school.

Restaurants and food establishments also provided special support to federal workers during government shutdowns. TGI Fridays implemented a notable program, giving Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) and air traffic control workers a free meal daily through October 23. The company expressed that they wanted to "do their part to support" these essential workers who "keep our country moving" during the shutdown.

In the D.C. region, MyPanera members could receive a free bakery treat when placing a minimum order for delivery through November 16. The program also offered daily deals for members through that date. Corner Bakery participated in National Bundt Cake Day by offering a buy-one-get-one-free promotion on Baby Bundt or Bundt Bites at participating shops on November 15, while supplies lasted.

Fast-food chains also implemented location-specific promotions. For example, Wizards fans could access free food through the Chick-fil-A app, indicating team-specific promotional partnerships.

Regional Freebies and Limited-Time Offers

Businesses in various regions implemented localized freebie programs to attract customers during challenging economic periods. In the D.C. area, Uniqlo's grand reopening at Tysons Corner Center included freebies each day from November 14-19. These offerings included free goodie bags, free breakfast for early shoppers, and free Japanese Taiko drum performances, creating a multi-faceted promotional event.

National Harbor featured a 60-foot-tall holiday tree with nightly light and sound shows every half hour from sunset until 9 p.m. through December 27. The attraction included additional Saturday night fireworks shows, providing free entertainment to the community.

New restaurant openings also incorporated freebies as part of their launch strategies. The first 100 people in line for the grand opening of a new Chicken Salad Chick restaurant on Elden St. in Herndon received freebies on November 18, followed by giveaways with purchase for early visitors November 19-22.

Personal Documentation and Creative Resources

During the lockdown period, many individuals sought ways to document their experiences and express their creativity. Various resources became available to support these personal documentation projects.

Free digital resources included dot grid printables that could be used to create custom notebooks and planners. Planners Anonymous offered dot grid inserts and coloring printables that could be incorporated into personal documentation projects. These resources allowed individuals to create customized albums and journals to document their lockdown experiences.

Ali Edwards provided free Covid-19 word art that could be used for creating covers and embellishments for personal documentation projects. This resource specifically addressed the unique circumstances of the pandemic, allowing individuals to incorporate relevant themes into their creative work.

One documented approach to personal lockdown documentation included creating a master list of pages and items to include in a personal book: - An "all-about-me" spread - Selfies on the first day of lockdown and an empty space for one at the end - Personal statistics (age, height, weight) - Current favorites, including favorite parts of lockdown - Spreads about trending TV shows, popular music, and new movies - Information about fashion trends and current politicians - Economic data such as average prices of items - Documentation of panic-buying trends in local areas - Records of events and how they were marked during lockdown (Easter, Mother's Day, birthdays) - Spreads about activities undertaken during lockdown - Personal feelings and emotions - Spreads of facts and figures related to the pandemic

Support for Specific Groups

Certain demographic groups received targeted support through specialized freebie programs. College students, facing campus closures and transitions to online learning, benefited from several extended offers.

Beyond Loom's educational offerings, companies implemented various measures to support students during the disruption to normal campus life. These freebies aimed to ease the transition from campus to quarantine, addressing both immediate needs and longer-term concerns about academic continuity and financial stability.

Federal workers during government shutdowns received specific support from businesses recognizing their financial hardship. Beyond TGI Fridays, other companies announced deals and specials for government employees during shutdown periods. These offers acknowledged the unique challenges faced by workers who were either furloughed or required to work without pay during government shutdowns.

Entertainment Alternatives

With traditional entertainment venues closed, numerous alternatives emerged to help consumers stay engaged and entertained. Free live music, fitness or yoga classes, and theater performance streaming became available daily through various platforms.

Streaming services expanded their free offerings to provide alternatives to traditional entertainment options. Crackle, Sony's free, ad-based movie streaming service, made content available without requiring account creation. The Roku Channel provided free streaming content accessible through computer browsers or Roku-connected devices, offering another entertainment option for those at home.

Conclusion

The periods of lockdown and government shutdowns prompted businesses across various sectors to implement freebie programs and special promotions. These offerings ranged from digital content like comics and courses to food discounts and specialized support programs for specific groups. While many of these offers were temporary and tied to specific circumstances, they provided significant value to consumers during challenging times. The availability of free educational resources, entertainment options, and support programs helped maintain quality of life and provided necessary assistance to those facing economic hardship. As these challenging periods demonstrated, businesses have the capacity to implement creative solutions that benefit both consumers and their own brand positioning during crises.

Sources

1. Documenting During COVID-19: Freebies for Personal Projects
2. All the #StayHome Freebies: Personal Development and Entertainment
3. Comic Freebies During the COVID-19 Pandemic
4. Pandemic-Proof Deals for College Students
5. Government Shutdown Freebies for Federal Workers
6. Friday Freebies in the D.C. Region
7. Free Online Games, Courses, Movies, and Live Concerts During Lockdown