Since the first recorded COVID-19 death on January 11th, 2020, with the possibility it could date back even further, the world has been flipped upside down. Once the virus reached the United States and other countries, the panic and chaos only increased. With strict orders from the government, federal and statewide, many businesses began to close down, leaving employees deemed “unessential” without a job quarantined to their homes. Many companies, whether it’s help to employees, the community, or research, have helped give back in several creative ways.

Amazon, Apple, Mcdonald’s, Walmart, Uber, Microsoft, and more have in some way, pledged to still pay employees who could not work because of the showing symptoms, temporary shutdowns, or mandatory quarantine after travel. Amazon is also offering 100,000 new job opportunities and giving raises to employees. 

The CEO of Prada donated two full intensive care units to each of three separate Milan hospitals. Many companies have also closed regular production and opened for the production of medical supplies such as scrubs and masks. Serta Simmons donated 10,000 mattresses to hospitals in New York. The spotlight on donating to hospitals for their efforts has also extended to healthcare workers as many are being celebrated by companies who offering them free food, shelter, transportation, and self-care.

As schools switch to virtual teaching and learning, Logitech has launched a program for teachers to receive free webcams and headsets. Babbel has also offered 90 days of free language learning for students. Along with K-12 students, university and college students have been affected. Some no longer have access to housing and had to find a place to stay on short notice. In response, U-haul announced they would be giving 30 days of free storage to any college student who needed it after having their university housing closed.  

Verizon, Sprint, Google, and T-mobile have also all signed a pledge to keep internet-connected for customers for 60 days even if they can not afford it. Spectrum has also been helping with wifi concerns for existing customers and for families with students that have online school work who don’t have access to wifi already. 

Many small businesses have also been negatively affected by COVID-19. Verizon donated 2.5 million to a non-profit corporation to be put into its Small Business COVID-19 Relief Fund. Similar to Verizon,  Facebook created a $100 million grant program for 30,000 small businesses in over 30 different countries. Another program based in Seattle called Keep Your City Smiling sells gift boxes of products to help small businesses that are struggling. 

In conclusion, many businesses have come up with creative ways to give back to their community, customers, and employees in the wake of this pandemic. The help that they have given has not gone unnoticed and they have continued to give many people hope. By using their influence, these companies are keeping people calm, safe, and showing their appreciation to customers. 

Information Citations:

Hessekiel, David. “Creative Ways Companies Are Giving Back During The COVID-19 Crisis.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 27 Mar. 2020,

www.forbes.com/sites/davidhessekiel/2020/03/27/creative-ways-companies-are-giving-back-during-the-covid-19-crisis/#dfff3a97f143

Morgan, Blake. “50 Ways Companies Are Giving Back During The Coronavirus Pandemic.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 29 Mar. 2020,

www.forbes.com/sites/blakemorgan/2020/03/17/50-ways-companies-are-giving-back-during-the-corona-pandemic/#6e8e8fc84723.

Picture Citation:

Dan. “Yitro (Help!).” Yitro (Help!), 1 Jan. 1970, rabbidanfink.blogspot.com/2019/01/yitro-help.html.