Free Coffee For Front-Line Workers At Starbucks In La Mesa

LA MESA, CA — Front-line workers can get free coffee throughout December from Starbucks locations throughout the United States, including the stores in La Mesa.

Starbucks has these locations in La Mesa:

• 3777 Avocado Blvd.
• 8011 University Ave. (Vons)
• 7966 La Mesa Blvd.
• 5335 Jackson Drive
• 4209 Spring St.
• 5500 Grossmont Center Drive (Target)
• 5500 Grossmont Center Drive (Barnes & Noble)
• 7350 University Ave.
• 5416 Lake Murray Blvd.
• 6140 Lake Murray Blvd.

In a statement, Starbucks said it will offer front-line workers a free tall brewed coffee, hot or iced, throughout the month as a way "to recognize the significant efforts of the front-line responder and health care community" during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It has been an extraordinarily difficult year, especially for the front-line responders who are serving our communities," Starbucks Vice President Virginia Tenpenny said in a news release. "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."

Those eligible for the offer include doctors, nurses, public health workers, pharmacists, dispatchers, firefighters, paramedics, police officers, dentists and dental hygienists, mental health workers (therapists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, etc.), hospital staff such as janitors, housekeeping/security and active-duty military, according to Starbucks.

Customers need to identify themselves as a front-line worker in order to receive a free cup of coffee.

The special offer runs through Dec. 31.

To further support the front-line responder community, company officials said Starbucks donated $100,000 to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to support virtual mental health resources for front-line responders. The company also plans to surprise 50,000 front-line responders with care packages and Starbucks gift cards this holiday season.