Starbucks (SBUX) customers may be spending more than ever before on their orders, but some patrons are about to get a free cup of coffee to start their day.

The coffee chain is now offering free drinks to first responders throughout the month of December as a way to show appreciation for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic. Any customer that identifies themselves as a frontline worker will be gifted a free tall brewed hot or iced coffee now through Dec. 31 at participating U.S. Starbucks stores.

Frontline responders are defined by Starbucks as first responders, including doctors, nurses, public health workers, pharmacists, dispatchers, firefighters, paramedics, police officers, dentists, dental hygienists, mental health workers, therapists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, active-duty military, and hospital staff members.

“It has been an extraordinarily difficult year, especially for the frontline responders who are serving our communities,” Virginia Tenpenny, Starbucks vice president, Global Social Impact, said in a statement. “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.”

To further its commitment to frontline workers, Starbucks is also donating $100,000 to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to support virtual mental health resources for first responders. It will also surprise 50,000 frontline helpers with care packages and Starbucks gift cards throughout the holidays.

This is the second time during the pandemic that Starbucks has offered free coffee to frontline employees. In March, it also ran a free coffee promotion for first responders.

Since March, The Starbucks Foundation has donated more than $1 million to support frontline workers, including over 2 million free cups of coffee.

Shares of Starbucks were trading at $98.77 as of 1:12 p.m. EST on Tuesday, up 75 cents of 0.76%.

Starbucks logo
A Starbucks logo is pictured. AFP / EVA HAMBACH
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