DJ COMMUNITY

Everywhere Healthcare Workers Can Get Free Food Right Now

Chains across the country are showing their appreciation to those on the frontline of the pandemic.

Updated on 4/30/2020 at 11:19 PM

There are few people doing more to protect us than healthcare workers on the frontline of the COVID-19, or novel coronavirus, pandemic. They deserve our thanks and admiration in the best of times, and a whole lot more than that right now.

Hopefully, the healthcare workers and first responders in your life have been getting many thanks for their sacrifices and help during the outbreak. In addition to that, restaurants and companies around the country are showing their appreciation with a little food (and coffee!) to help them power through long, exhausting days. To help them know where they can grab a free bite to eat, we've pulled together some of the best and most readily available deals for both healthcare workers and first responders, including some offers from Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, and even Crocs.

Check back often. We'll keep updating the list as more deals surface.

Free Food for Healthcare Workers and First Responders

McDonald's
The deal: You can pass through a McD's drive-thru to get a totally free "Thank You Meal" if you're a healthcare worker, police officer, paramedic, or firefighter.
When: Through May 5

Dunkin'
The deal: Any healthcare worker can grab a free medium coffee and donut. No purchase is required. It's just a gift for Nurse Appreciation Day.
When: May 6

Starbucks
The deal: Starbucks has announced that "any customer who identifies as a first responder or frontline worker supporting our healthcare system" can get a free hot or cold tall brewed coffee on each visit.
When: Through May 3

Krispy Kreme
The deal: Every Monday, Krispy Kreme will give free donuts to healthcare workers. There doesn't appear to be a limit on what can be donated to healthcare workers (within reason, probably). "Just go to a Krispy Kreme drive-thru, tell us what you need, and show us your employer badge," the site says. "Pick up some free dozens on the way to work for you and your colleagues, or maybe a free dozen on your way home to family after a long shift."
When: Through May 12

Corner Bakery
The deal: Get a free coffee if you're a nurse or healthcare worker with an ID.
When: May 4-8

Cumberland Farms
The deal: The convenience chain is offering free coffee to people helping battle the COVID-19 outbreak. People who can grab a free coffee any day of the week include "healthcare workers, first responders, and military personnel including police officers, firefighters, active military, paramedics, doctors, nurses, hospital and medical staff, and medical researchers."
When: Ongoing

Nando's PERi-PERi
The deal: Any "nurse, doctor, or healthcare worker" who stops into a Nando's with an ID or wearing a uniform gets free takeout.
When: Ongoing

Delta Sonic
The deal: Each Delta Sonic location with a brick oven will offer a free meal to "all doctors, nurses, EMTs, firefighters, and police officers with a valid ID."
When: Ongoing

Steak 'N Shake
The deal: Everyone can get a free order of fries in the "We Are All Essential" program. There's no purchase necessary at all.
When: Ongoing

Tropical Smoothie Café
The deal: Medical professionals and first responders can contact their local Tropical Smoothie shop to have free smoothies delivered to your team.
When: Ongoing

Pollo Campero
The deal: First responders and medical personnel can stop in for a totally free meal all month. Show up in uniform or flash your badge/ID to take advantage of the generous offer.
When: Ongoing

Smashburger
The deal: Current or retired firefighters can get a totally free Classic Smash Double (that's a burger) for takeout. Just show an ID or show up in uniform and you're good to go.
When: May 4

Waterloo Sparkling Water
The deal: Nurses and healthcare workers can drop into the Waterloo Instagram or Facebook page starting May 6 for a chance to win a free case of sparkling water. They'll be giving out 500 coupons for a free eight or 12 pack.
When: May 6-12

El Pollo Loco
The deal: For National Nurses Week, the Mexican chain is going to randomly choose a nurse nominated by people on social media to hook up with meals for an entire week.
When: May 6-12

Pizza vs. Pandemic
The deal: A partnership of three organizations, including local pizza shop delivery app Slice, is taking donations and suggestions for healthcare workers that could use a delivery of free pizza.
When: Ongoing

Chicago Cares Package
The deal: Goose Island, Lakeshore Beverage, and Meals on Wheels are teaming up to help hospitality workers who have been impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Pick a pizza shop on this map. Then order online and select the "Chicago Care Package." It can be done once at each location per person and you'll get a pizza, salad, and a six-pack of Goose Island beer.
When: Ongoing

Food Deals for Healthcare Workers and First Responders

Mrs. Fields
The deal: Trim 25% off the price of the Heroes Collection, which can be a tin with 30, 48, or 90 cookies. Use the code "NURSES."
When: Through May 31

Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill
The deal: Naf Naf is offering first responders and active or retired military personnel a 15% discount on their order. You have to flash a valid ID and order in-store. (No catering orders.)
When: Ongoing

Taco Cabana
The deal: If you work in a restaurant, hotel, grocery store, big-box store, drugstore, or food service industry location you can get 50% off your order when you purchase while wearing a uniform or showing an ID. The discount does not apply to alcohol.
When: Ongoing

Insomnia Cookies
The deal: If you send out for a 12-pack of traditional cookies online, you'll get a code that gives you a free six-pack of cookies to ship to anyone in the country who could use a little sweetness. Drop in the code "COOKIEMAGIC." (Also, you can totally be the person you send those cookies to if you happen to be the person who'd benefit from some free cookies.)
When: Through May 31

Local Offers for Healthcare Workers and First Responders

Bronx Bites - New York City, New York
The deal: Local healthcare workers can grab a free meal at Bronx Bites. They'll get to pick up the restaurant's daily lunch special.
When: Through May 14

Brooklyn Chop House - New York City, New York
The deal: First responders get 20% off their meal when they pick up their food. That's in addition to the many meals the restaurant is already delivering directly to hospitals in the area for free.
When: Ongoing

Carl's Jr. - Los Angeles, California
The deal: LAPD officers will be treated to free Carl's Jr. as the company brings its food truck to a different bureau on four different days.
When: May 1 (West Bureau)

The Melt - Los Angeles, San Francisco, Irvine, & La Jolla, California
The deal: The restaurant is offering a free meal for medical staff that can get to locations in any of these four cities.
When: A limited time

Melt Shop - New York City, New York
The deal: In addition to just delivering food donations to hospital workers and members of the national guard, Melt Shop is offering a free sandwich for takeout to any hospital worker.
When: Ongoing

Paris Baguette - Manhattan, New York
The deal: All Manhattan locations will give free coffee to all hospital workers, first responders, the NYPD, and FDNY.
When: "Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic"

Pop!s Burgers & Shakes - Santa Monica, California
The deal: Show a hospital ID and get a free takeout meal. Or you can get 50% off through Ordersocialeats.com with the code "INTHISTOGETHER."
When: Ongoing

Other Offers for Healthcare Workers

Crocs
The deal: Every day at 12pm ET, Crocs is giving away free pairs of Crocs. However, there's a limit on how many are given out daily.
When: Ongoing

Mazda Dealerships
The deal: Every healthcare worker, no matter the make of their vehicle, can get a free standard oil change and enhanced clearing service at any Mazda dealer in the US.
When: Ongoing

Training Mate
The deal: The LA-based gym is offering a free month of streaming workouts for healthcare workers.
When: Ongoing

Other Local Offers for Healthcare Workers

Bobby & Steve's Auto World - Minneapolis, Minnesota
The deal: Locations across the Twin Cities are offering a free car wash to any medical professional "for their heroic service and dedication during this time." Just flash your ID to the staff.
When: Ongoing