Missouri Freebies And Benefits Veterans Discounts Campus Perks And Athletic Promotions

Nov. 30, 2025, 11:48 a.m.

Tags: mizzou

Introduction

Freebies and special offers in Missouri encompass a range of opportunities from local business promotions to university benefits and athletic event giveaways. This article examines the various free items, discounts, and special programs available in Missouri, focusing on Veterans Day offers, University of Missouri faculty and staff benefits, and limited information about athletic promotions. While the source material does not provide extensive details about traditional product samples or promotional freebies across consumer categories, it does highlight several valuable opportunities for specific groups in the state.

Veterans Day Freebies and Discounts

Local businesses and restaurant chains in Columbia and mid-Missouri honor veterans and active military personnel with special offers on Veterans Day. These free meals and discounts require proof of service or a valid military ID, and participating businesses may have specific terms that consumers should verify directly.

Restaurant and Food Establishments

Several restaurants and food retailers offer complimentary meals or significant discounts to veterans and active-duty service members:

Applebee's: Provides active and retired military members with a free meal from an exclusive menu on Veterans Day. Additionally, veterans and active military members receive a $5 gift card for their next visit.
Arby's: All Missouri Arby's locations offer all active and retired military members in uniform a free classic roast beef sandwich on Veterans Day.
Big Daddy's BBQ: Veterans receive half-price meals on Friday at its Paris Road location.
Buffalo Wild Wings: Veterans and active-duty service members can get a free order of 10 boneless wings and fries on Veterans Day.
Chicken Salad Chick: Offers veterans and active-duty service members a free meal on Veterans Day.
Hy-Vee: Hosts its annual Veterans Day buffet-style breakfast from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. for all active and retired military members on November 10. Veterans and active military members also receive 15% off groceries on Friday.
IHOP: Veterans and active-duty service members can get free red, white and blue pancakes between 7 a.m. and closing on Veterans Day.

University of Missouri Faculty and Staff Benefits

The University of Missouri offers several special benefits and attractions for faculty, staff, and retirees. These perks are subject to change by the provider, and employees should verify current availability directly with the relevant departments.

Campus Resources and Services

Faculty and staff at MU have access to various resources and services that function as valuable benefits:

University Libraries: Free access is available to employees with a MU ID card.
Division of IT Training: Provides free training on several technology topics and software programs.
Adaptive Computing Technology Center (ACT): Helps people with disabilities gain access to computing resources on campus.
Police Department: Offers free bicycle registration and personal-defense programs.
Small Business Development Center: Provides free management and technical assistance in service, retail, construction or manufacturing.
MU Info: Distributes weekly email updates of campus events and activities during fall and winter semesters, and every other week during summer semester.

Discounted Memberships and Programs

Several discounted membership options are available to MU faculty, staff, and retirees:

MizzouRec: Offers discounted monthly and annual membership options that include fitness classes and intramural league participation.
Kansas City Zoo: Faculty and staff can receive $10 off any premier level membership by sponsoring the Sumatran Tiger exhibit. Using the code "MIZZOU" at checkout provides this discount. Questions can be directed to Guest Relations at 816-595-1234.

Cultural and Entertainment Benefits

The university provides various cultural and entertainment opportunities:

University Concert Series: Sponsors concerts and recitals throughout the year.
School of Music: Provides non-credit, applied music instruction for personal enrichment and sponsors concerts and recitals, many with free admission.
Theatre Department: Discounts are available for MU faculty, staff and senior citizens for selected events.
Columbia Missourian: A professional local daily newspaper produced by School of Journalism staff and students.

Special Purchase Opportunities

MU employees have access to special purchasing options:

Bucks Ice Cream: Features Missouri Tiger Stripe Ice Cream.
Mizzou Meat Market: Offers varieties of beef, pork and lamb cuts at special prices.
The Mizzou Store: Operates with a "Buy Mizzou for Mizzou" approach.
Missouri Press: Publishes original and relevant peer-reviewed trade titles, textbooks, references, and monographs in disciplines served by the university.
MU Alumni Association: Membership includes discounts on food, lodging, transportation, clothing, auto, hardware/appliances, entertainment, and health/fitness.

Mizzou Athletics Promotions

While the source material provides limited details about athletic promotions, some information is available regarding giveaways and special events.

Volleyball Promotions

The 2025 Mizzou Volleyball Promotional Calendar indicates that:

Giveaway items are available while supplies last
Post-match autographs follow every home match
All promotions are subject to change

However, the specific items being given away or the schedule for these promotions are not detailed in the source material.

Basketball Context

In basketball, player Jayden Stone referred to his recovery from injury as a "big freebie," though this appears to be metaphorical rather than an actual promotional item. Stone, who was cleared to play after injury concerns, mentioned the unexpected nature of his recovery as a positive development.

Community Support Initiatives

Several organizations in Missouri offer support that could be considered beneficial to community members:

Fighting Pretty Mizzou

The University of Missouri's Fighting Pretty Student Brand Ambassador team, established in 2019, has:

Raised over $5,000 to help women battling cancer in Missouri feel strong and beautiful
Engaged over 100 students in their mission
Won the 2023 Make It Count March Challenge

Their key programs include:

Make it Count March Fundraiser: A yearly spring fundraiser to raise money to send Pretty Packages to women battling cancer in Columbia, Missouri.
Cancer Succks: A spring semester succulent sale on campus to raise money for creating Pretty Packages for women battling cancer.

Conclusion

The available information about freebies and special offers in Missouri is somewhat limited but reveals several valuable opportunities. Veterans and active military personnel can access numerous complimentary meals and discounts from local businesses on Veterans Day. University of Missouri faculty, staff, and retirees benefit from various free services, discounted memberships, and special purchasing opportunities. Athletic promotions include volleyball giveaways and post-match autographs, though specific details are minimal. Community initiatives like Fighting Pretty Mizzou provide support to women battling cancer through fundraising efforts. While the source material does not provide comprehensive information about traditional product samples or promotional freebies across consumer categories, it does highlight several valuable opportunities available to specific groups in Missouri.