Starbucks offering free coffee to frontline workers this month

First responders and health care workers can pick up a free cup of Starbucks coffee for the entire month of December, the coffee chain announced on Tuesday. The company said the perk was “in response to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases and to recognize the significant efforts of the front-line responder and health care community.”

Starting Tuesday through New Year’s Eve, any person who identifies as a frontline responder to the coronavirus pandemic will be served a tall brewed iced or hot coffee at no cost, the company said on its COVID-19 response page.

The company said those who are eligible to claim a cup of coffee include doctors, pharmacists, firefighters, mental health workers and more. Hospital staff, such as security or housekeeping staff, and active-duty military are also included.

There is no limit to the offer, the company told CBS News. Those who qualify can claim the deal as many times as they would like through the end of 2020.

“It has been an extraordinarily difficult year, especially for the front-line responders who are serving our communities,” said Virginia Tenpenny, Starbucks vice president of 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.”

The offer can be redeemed at company-operated locations in the U.S. and select licensed stores, according to Starbucks’ website.

You’ve been there for our communities, we're here to support you. 💚

For the month of December, we're offering front-line responders a free tall brewed or iced coffee at participating US stores. From all our partners, thank you. pic.twitter.com/L6aP8Y7TgH

— Starbucks (@Starbucks) December 1, 2020

In addition, Starbucks said it has donated $100,000 to the National Alliance on Mental Illness “to support virtual mental health resources for front-line responders.” It also said it plans to surprise 50,000 frontline responders with gift cards and care packages during the holiday season.

This is the second time Starbucks has offered free coffee to those fighting the pandemic. The company announced a similar deal for frontline responders in late March, with the offer ending on May 3.

The company said it has given over 2 million free cups of coffee to frontline responders since the beginning of the pandemic, among other contributions.

Meanwhile, the coronavirus is once again across the U.S., with over 4 million cases reported in November alone, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Hospitals across the nation are treating more than 96,000 coronavirus patients, a new record, per the COVID Tracking Project.