While we take a staycation away from the office, medical professionals are still hard at work keeping us happy and healthy. Long hours and shorter breaks inspired plenty of chains to give back. Starbucks kickstarted the thank you movement by doling out free coffee to first responders, and Krispy Kreme is ready on Monday mornings with free doughnuts for healthcare workers.
Now, McDonald’s is stepping up to the plate and giving all their gratitude to those on the frontlines. How? With free Thank You Meals, of course!
McDonald’s Is Giving It up for Front-Line Workers
The affectionately dubbed Thank You Meals meet all the requirements for a cruise through the drive-thru. Every meal includes a sandwich, drink and a side of either hash browns or French fries. First responders and healthcare workers can get some grub at any time of the day—breakfast, lunch or dinner—and every Thank You Meal is totally customizable.
For breakfast, workers have a choice of an Egg McMuffin, Chicken McGriddle or a Bacon, Egg and Cheese Biscuit plus a hash brown, any size soda, hot coffee or tea. For lunch and dinner, grab a Double Cheeseburger, 6-Piece Chicken McNuggets or a Filet-O-Fish sandwich. Complete the order with any size soda, hot coffee or tea, plus a side of small fries.
Here’s how to order from a fast-food restaurant right now.
How to Get Your Thank You
If you or someone you know is working the front lines right now, all you have to do is flash your work badge or come into McDonald’s while in uniform. The promotion only runs from April 22 to May 5, but that’s a whole two weeks to get your hands on some easy weeknight meals.
The promotion includes healthcare workers, police officers, paramedics and firefighters who put their health on the line to keep ours safe. Workers can also snag a meal to go as often as they want, but only through drive-thru and pick-up options. Each Thank You Meal comes dressed in a Happy Meal box to share some extra smiles.
Thank you, McDonald’s!
Not Feeling the Drive-Thru? Copycat These McDonald's Recipes at Home
A crispy coating mix is the secret ingredient that dresses up these baked burgers. You bake them in the oven instead of grilling or frying. I like to use a sweet and spicy steak sauce for the best flavor. This is how to cook burgers in the oven. —Mike Goldman, Arden Hills, Minnesota
Get Our Recipe for Oven-Baked Burgers Here
An even tastier way to eat fries! The addition of Parmesan and garlic makes this side dish simple irresistible. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Get Our Recipe for Parmesan & Garlic Fries Here
Save a sleeve of Girl Scout cookies for this creamy milkshake that's fun for kids and adults, too. —Shauna Sever, San Francisco, California
Get Our Recipe for Thin Mint Milk Shake Here
My 3-year-old is going through a stage where he'll eat only chicken nuggets and French fries. I like to make these golden nuggets for him so I know what he's eating. They're so good, we like them, too! —Amanda Livesay, Mobile, Alabama
Get Our Recipe for Parmesan Chicken Nuggets Here
Go on a burger road trip in your own backyard. Grill the patties and load them sky-high. Peanut butter and bacon make them Southern style; coleslaw and tomatoes, a Northern version. —Susan Mahaney, New Hartford, New York
Get Our Recipe for Burger Americana Here
I turned classic breakfast sandwiches into something heartier you could have for dinner, too. We pile toppings like salsa, avocado—even mayo and ketchup—onto my homemade biscuits. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
Get Our Recipe Cheesy Ham & Egg Sandwiches for Here
This fast, easy mustard with rice vinegar and honey has more flavor than any other honey mustard dressing I've ever tried. —Sharon Rehm, New Blaine, Arkansas
Get Our Recipe for Quick & Easy Honey Mustard Here
You can use any type of bread or roll for this sandwich. We like the ciabatta, but have used other breads and rolls, whatever I might have handy. You can also pan fry the chicken if you can't get to a grill.—Debbie Speckmeyer, Lakewood, California
Get Our Recipe for Cilantro-Lime Chicken Sandwiches Here
Cool off with a thick and rich treat that will remind you of a malt shoppe! Nothing can beat this strawberry shake recipe. —Kathryn Conrad, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Get Our Recipe for Thick Strawberry Shakes Here
This is the best fluffy pancakes recipe according to my family. They are quick and easy to prepare, but we still consider these homemade pancakes a special treat. —Eugene Presley, Council, Virginia
Get Our Recipe for Fluffy Pancakes Here
These strips are designed for kids, but tasty enough for company. The tender strips are moist and juicy and would also be great on a salad. —Becky Oliver, Fairplay, Colorado
Get Our Recipe for Seasoned Chicken Strips Here
I've never cared that much for store bought barbecue sauce. I just like to make things myself from scratch including this spicy, deep red-brown sauce. You'll find it clings well when you slather it on grilled meat. —Helena Georgette Mann, Sacramento, California
Get Our Recipe for Sweet & Spicy Barbecue Sauce Here
A slow cooker turns day-old cinnamon rolls into a comforting, old-fashioned dessert. It tastes wonderful topped with lemon or vanilla sauce or whipped cream. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
Get Our Recipe for Slow Cooker Cinnamon Roll Pudding Here
Perfect for a weekday dinner or cozy weekend meal, this recipe makes fall-off-the-bone tender meat with delicious flavor. —Margaret Luchsinger, Jupiter, Florida
Get Our Recipe for Country Rib Sandwiches Here
This knockout shredded pork makes a healthy, delicious and hearty salad with black beans, corn, cotija cheese and plenty of fresh greens. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma
Get Our Recipe for Southwest Shredded Pork Salad Here
I tasted muesli on a trip to Switzerland, and when I came home, I made it my way. Keep things interesting (and avoid midmorning munchies) by adding different fruits and nuts every day. —Maddie Kirk, Springfield, Pennsylvania
Get Our Recipe for Overnight Maple Oatmeal Here
The seasoned breading of this hearty sandwich turns mild-flavored cod or halibut into a taste sensation, and the creamy sauce just keeps it going! —Mildred Caruso, Brighton, Tennessee
Get Our Recipe for Breaded Fish Sandwiches Here
Here’s a traditional sauce worth making from scratch. It makes the meal feel very special, and guests are always impressed. You might never buy the bottled stuff ever again. —Roger Slivon, Genesee Depot, Wisconsin
Get Our Recipe for Green Onion Tartar Sauce Here
This is a great kid-friendly recipe that takes only 20 minutes to prepare and cook.—Sharon Haswell, Cheshire, Massachusetts
Get Our Recipe for Ham & Egg Wraps Here
Every family has a burger of choice, and this is ours. It's stacked tall with bacon and crunchy onion rings. —Paula Homer, Nampa, Idaho
Get Our Recipe for BBQ Bacon Burger Here
The best time for this dessert is mid-summer, when the blueberries are thick in our northern woods. Red raspberries can be added to the mixed berries, too, to brighten up the patriotic colors.—Anne Theriault, Wellesley, Massachusetts
Get Our Recipe for Star-Spangled Parfaits Here
My husband and I love fresh, fried fish, but we're both trying to cut back on fats. I made up this recipe and it was a huge hit. He tells me that he likes it as much as deep-fried fish, and that's saying a lot! —LaDonna Reed, Ponca City, Oklahoma
Get Our Recipe for Oven-Fried Fish Nuggets Here
The post McDonald’s Is Saying Thanks to Healthcare Workers and First Responders with FREE Meals appeared first on Taste of Home.
Laurie Dixon
