The CEO of Starbucks, Kevin Johnson, shared a letter with us earlier this week outlining the brand’s commitment to the community. Now, Starbucks has announced that it would be offering free coffee to those serving on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new policy includes police officers, firefighters, paramedics, doctors, nurses, hospital and medical staff and medical researchers.
Now through May 3, any customer who identifies as a front line responder to the COVID-19 outbreak will receive a tall brewed coffee (hot or iced) at no charge. Starbucks also announced that the Starbucks Foundation will donate $500,000 to support US front line responders. This money will be divided equally between Direct Relief in support of the delivery of personal protective equipment and essential medical items and to Operation Gratitude which will deliver 50,000 care packages and handwritten letters to first responders and health care workers.
Starbucks has temporarily transitioned to a drive-thru model for the next few weeks. Some exceptions will be made for those cafés serving in or around hospitals and health care centers.
—Jennifer Swartvagher
Featured photo: Joshua Trujillo, Starbucks
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