When you think of a hero, who comes to mind? In 2020, we immediately think of the healthcare professionals and essential workers who stand on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic, risking their health every day for those in need of their care.
Whether tied to the medical industry or not, organizations around the world have unraveled their business-as-usual to come up with creative and impactful ideas to give back to the health care community. We are inspired by how these four customer experience leaders have found ways to not only support the hospitals and medical heroes who work there, but allow you to help, too.
Sweetgreen
Taking a lunch break is important, especially for the healthcare workers who are working tirelessly around the clock during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sweetgreen, a restaurant chain with made-to-order salad and grain bowls, has made it possible to have free, fresh, and healthy meals delivered every day to healthcare heroes through their Sweetgreen Impact Outpost Fund with Chef Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen.
In early April, Sweetgreen announced their partnership with Chef Jose Andres and his World Central Kitchen, a not-for-profit organization focused on using the “power of food” to help communities through times of crisis, and their goal of donating 100,000 free meals to medical staff on the front line.
Since announcing their fund, the Sweetgreen Impact Outpost Fund has successfully raised enough money to provide 100,000 free meals at 200 hospitals nationwide, bringing back team members and supporting suppliers across the country in the process.
And they haven’t stopped there – with a new goal of sending out 250,000 meals, the Sweetgreen Impact Outpost Fund has and will continue to brighten the days of many in the medical community with fast-delivered, delicious, nutritious meals. You can donate here to help in reaching their new goal!
Flexport
Ever since COVID-19 had been declared a global pandemic, resources have been focused on treating patients and limiting the spread of the virus. Frontline responders are in desperate need of protective personal equipment (PPE) to keep themselves and others safe. Flexport.org, specifically, has taken initiative with the logistical aid of such supplies through their Frontline Responders Fund.
Flexport is a global transportation company that works directly with various organizations, government agencies, and nonprofits to get critical supplies to communities who need them most.
Through their Frontline Responders Fund and numerous companies supporting their effort, they have already raised 7 million dollars of their 10 million dollar goal, resulting in the shipping of “over 7.7 million units of PPE and COVID-19 response items, including approximately: 6.9 million masks, 240,000 gowns, 1,000 ventilators, 155,000 gloves, and even 250,000 meals for vulnerable populations.”
This incredible effort has received attention from notable celebrities including Ellen Degeneres and Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Flexport GoFundMe page calls out a quote from Schwarzenegger, emphasizing his support of their mission and his donation to the cause:
“We have an opportunity and a responsibility to provide them with personal protective equipment right now to keep them safe as they fight this virus, so when I heard about Flexport.org’s plan, this was a no-brainer to me. With all of the courageous work they are doing on the frontlines to keep us safe, buying a few hundred thousand masks with a million dollars is the least I can do. Please take a moment to join me in supporting our heroes.”
–Arnold Schwarzenegger
For more information on Flexport’s fundraiser and where to donate, check out their Frontline Responders Fund page.
Figs
Scrubs are an essential part of the job for hospital staff and physicians in every hospital. Especially now, when medical personnel may need more than one pair of scrubs per shift to ensure protective measures for their patients, scrubs and PPE are crucial for them to do their job safely.
Figs, a company that produces comfortable, designer medical uniforms and scrubs, has taken huge strides to support the creation and shipping of scrubs and protective equipment to hospitals nationwide.
In addition to donating $100,000 to the Frontline Responders Fund, they’ve also delivered 30,000 sets of scrubs to hospitals in need. You can learn more on their COVID-19 updates page.
If you are interested in giving a set of scrubs to a healthcare provider, FIGS also started the Give a Frontline Set initiative that allows anyone to purchase a set of scrubs that FIGS will personally match with a member of the healthcare community who is on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. You can find more information on the initiative and where to purchase a set here.
Everlywell
It is no surprise that COVID-19 testing kits are in high demand. As a company that produces at-home test kits for anything from food sensitivity tests to thyroid tests, Everlywell is in a unique position to help.
Originally, they had planned to create the COVID-19 test kit for individual, at-home usage. But, recognizing that may not be where the greatest need is, the company announced via their blog in March that they have decided to, “allocate the initial supply of COVID-19 Tests to healthcare companies with workers on the front lines in order to get these tests in the hands of those who need them most urgently.”
Since their announcement, they have been able to partner with qualifying healthcare facilities and government agencies to supply thousands of COVID-19 testing kits to hospitals and care facilities. With current priorities of restocking supplies and continued delivery of the kits to medical heroes on the front lines, they do strive to also make COVID-19 kits available for at-home testing in the future.
For updates on COVID-19 testing across the country, be sure to check out Everlywell’s regularly updated COVID-19 Testing Resource blog post.
This is an unprecedented time when companies worldwide are having to pivot in the interest of the greater good, their customers, and their employees. For more inspiring stories on what you can do, see how other CX leaders are adapting, and how you can use pulse surveys to stay in touch with your community’s needs.
