(Sepet, Unsplash)
April 23, 2020 By Michael Dorgan
McDonald’s restaurants are offering free meals to healthcare workers and first responders as a token of appreciation for their efforts during COVID-19.
The fast-food chain is dishing out one free meal per day to medical staff, police officers and firefighters at its stores in Queens and across the country up until May 5. The company began rolling out the new offer Wednesday.
The “Thank You Meals” will be available during breakfast, lunch or dinner–and will feature a sandwich, drink, and a side dish, the company said in a statement Monday.
Meals will be served in a McDonald’s Happy Meal box, and a note of appreciation will replace the regular kid’s toy.
The company said it hoped the move would bring a smile to the faces of frontline workers who are selflessly putting their lives in harm’s way through the pandemic
“As local business owners, we know that our communities need us now more than ever, and we’re committed to continuing to serve them,” Katie Hunt-Rotolo, a local franchise owner/operator and president of the McDonald’s New York Metro Owner/Operator Association said.
The company said that each meal will be available at no charge via drive-thru or carry out at participating McDonald’s restaurants. Workers only need to show a badge or be in uniform to redeem a free meal.
Healthcare workers and first responders can choose from an Egg McMuffin, Chicken McGriddles or a Bacon, Egg and Cheese Biscuit for breakfast.
All options come with a soft drink of any size, tea or hot coffee and a hash brown.
A Double Cheeseburger, six-piece Chicken McNuggets or a Filet-O-Fish will be available on the lunch and dinner menus, and all options come with a soft drink of any size, tea or hot coffee and a small fries.
Dr. William Jaquis, President of the American College of Emergency Physicians, said that the free hot meals are a welcome break for frontline workers who are risking their lives each day.
“Emergency physicians and other health care workers on the frontlines are spending hours a day on their feet, often missing meals in their efforts to care for their patients,” Jaquis said.
McDonald’s said that nearly all of its restaurants have remained open during the COVID-19 shutdown and the company has implemented almost 50 new safety measures to ensure the safety of all its employees.
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16 Comments
To all the haters. McDonald’s is giving away 1 meal a day to people who are busting their butts to save lives. It’s a great gesture.
What a charitable organization!
Funny thing is nobody wanted them
Than banging pots and pans out my window.
These health care workers will become patients if they eat that garbage.
I think McDonald’s could afford to give away a thank you meal to all essential workers not just healthcare workers and first responders. Or at least sell it to the rest of us for a dollar.
Giving back is a big gesture that comes from the heart especially at this present time. I give thanks for such a wonderful way of showing your appreciation and love! Many blessings!
Now is not the time for fast food. I read that obese people are more at risk of needing hospital treatment for coronavirus. You are better off cooking at home and not ordering out. Know what you are eating. Don’t wait for the vaccine. Have some moral fortitude and lose some weight.
Trump is handing them out, they way he’s handing out free money to all americans, but…uh…it’s not socialism because
All fast food food restaurants needs to be closed down they are spreading the virus touching people food drink lids with them nasty gloves on.
I hope KFC and Popeye’s start doing the same!!
Will they ask for hospital employee id? I am a receptionist at a private doctors office but do not have id. I would like to get a meal and give it to one of the many homeless people outside.
There number one priority should be to provide proper PPE all employees. McDonald’s and all fast food places should also compensate their employees properly during this time.
Anything to get a business name in the news. Its similar to what some local restaurants and bars are doing in the hopes of getting media attention. They want people to remember them and come back once they try to open back up.
that’s what’s up McDonald’s!
It is a nice gesture… but is like giving health workers something that is not even food….
Nice gesture, bad food, but is the food they sell, so it is nice…. you know what I mean! Like having a bad gift but anyway, is a gift and you say thank you.
Well, McDonalds (if it is doing it for altruism and not to get rid of unsold merch) is doing better than many polititians that just twitt with their direct paychex and do nothing at all.