Starbucks is giving away coffee to frontline workers throughout December

Starbucks is giving a free tall coffee (hot or iced) to frontline workers during the month of December, the second time the chain has done so this year.
Workers eligible for the offer include "public health workers, pharmacists, dispatchers, firefighters, paramedics, police officers, dentists and dental hygienists, mental health workers, hospital staff such as janitor/housekeeping/security, and active-duty military," according to a statement from Starbucks.
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Starbucks is giving a free tall coffee (hot or iced) to doctors, nurses, and other frontline staff for the entire month of December.

This offer is also extended to "public health workers, pharmacists, dispatchers, firefighters, paramedics, police officers, dentists and dental hygienists, mental health workers, hospital staff such as janitor/housekeeping/security, and active-duty military," according to a statement.

"It has been an extraordinarily difficult year, especially for the front-line responders who are serving our communities," said Virginia Tenpenny, Starbucks vice president for global social impact. "We want to show our deep gratitude for those who support and protect us every day with a small gesture of kindness and a cup of coffee."

Along with the free coffees, Starbucks is giving $100,000 to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and will give 50,000 care packages and gift cards to workers as well.

In the same statement, Starbucks said it has given away over 2 million cups of coffee and 300,000 care packages since the pandemic started.

This is the second time Starbucks has run this promotion this year, after offering the free drinks from March 25-May 3.

Starbucks has taken steps to protect its own workers during the pandemic as well. In March, the company suspended the use of reusable cups as a way to help cut down on virus transmission.

In November, the coffee retailer announced at least a 10% raise for all workers that will go into effect on December 14.

Starbucks is part of numerous companies giving away food or other items for frontline workers, which also include Sweetgreen and Krispy Kreme.

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