Companies That Offer Free Covid-19 Supplies

As the covid-19 pandemic continues to ravage the population, people all over the country have been stepping up to lend whatever aid they can in fighting the pandemic. This includes regular people, nonprofits, and government agencies, but it also includes private corporations that are digging deep and giving in our time of collective need. Here are just a few of the companies that have been giving back and donating relief supplies to those who need them.

If you have a child in school right now, you know how difficult remote learning this past year has been. Headphone company JBL is trying to make that a little easier by giving away free headphones to kids taking classes at home. They're working through a nonprofit called Little Kids Rock, so if you'd like to take advantage of this program, tell your kid's school to get in touch with the charity and get it set up. Having to do everything from home has been especially difficult for children, so anything that can be done to make things easier for them is a plus.

Many of the supplies being given away are targeted at the people who need them most – health care workers. Companies like Black and Decker have been donating masks to frontline health care workers for the past year and are continuing to do so, both with the aid of charity organizations and by themselves. Last year, the shoe brand Crocs launched the A Free Pair for Health Care program, which allows any health care worker to send away for a free pair of shoes. Sure, they may not be the most fashionable footwear in the world, but they are comfortable for anyone who has to be on their feet for hours on end, which makes them perfect for health care workers.

For most of us, the best thing we can do to protect ourselves and those around us from covid-19 is to wear a mask every time we go out. It might be a little annoying, but it's well worth it. Because of how important masks are, there are a ton of companies out there that are giving them away to anybody who doesn't have one. Grocery stores like Whole Foods Market and Kroger are handing out masks at the door so everybody can buy food, and so are plenty of smaller, local supermarkets. Big box retail stores like Target, Best Buy, or the Apple store are also giving away masks, so that's a great place to check if you find yourself caught out in the world without one.

Other, smaller businesses are also giving away masks. Los Angeles based law firm The Accident Guys, for example, are giving away two free reusable face masks to any California residents who request them. You don't even have to go into the office – just sign up on their website and they'll ship the mask to you. They're far from the only company running a program like this, so there's bound to be something similar in pretty much any state. It's well worth checking online to see where you can find free masks near you, since it can vary pretty wildly by area.

If you're an arts and crafts type, JOANN Fabrics is giving away kits you can use to make your own mask at home. The kits include specific directions and enough fabric and elastic to stitch a washable, reusable mask right at home. If you're a health care worker and you don't have the time or inclination to sew your own, JOANN also has volunteers sewing masks for you, so all you have to do is get in touch with them for a free face mask.

With the new vaccines available, it feels like we're turning the corner on the covid-19 pandemic. However, that doesn't mean that we should start getting lazy. It's important to stay safe, wear your mask, and stay socially distant until all this is officially over.