Starbucks is looking to help fuel fighters in the battle against the coronavirus.
The coffee empire announced in a statement Wednesday that any first-line responder to the pandemic will receive free coffee through May 3.
This policy includes police officers, firefighters, paramedics, doctors, nurses, medical staff and medical researchers. The responders and health care workers will get a tall brewed coffee — hot or iced — free of charge.
“I am inspired by our Starbucks store partners around the world who proudly wear the green apron and who are rising to the occasion,” CEO Kevin Johnson wrote in an open letter to employees. “They demonstrate our resilience and our commitment to the communities we serve.”
The Starbucks Foundation will also be donating a combined $500,000 to charitable organizations Direct Relief and Operation Gratitude to support front-line responders during the pandemic.
Last week, the company issued new regulations that all orders must be to-go, and temporarily closed some stores.
Starbucks said it will also be paying all employees for 30 days, whether they come into work or not, as well as continuing to offer mental health and sick pay benefits.