Sam’s Club is launching ‘Hero Hours’ for frontline workers—no membership required

Virus Outbreak Maryland
AP Photo/Susan Walsh

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Beginning April 19, Sam’s Club will begin offering “Hero Hours,” in which healthcare workers and first responders will be able to shop at the warehouse retailer, regardless of if they have a membership.

Each Sunday, these critical workers will be able to shop at Sam’s Club locations across the nation between the hours of 8-10 a.m. Both customers and Sam’s Club employees will be provided with masks and will practice social distancing in the stores.

Hero Hours are meant to honor these special workers for their sacrifice as they battle on the frontlines of the fight against the novel coronavirus.

On April 14, the company announced the new program on Twitter:

“We’re proud to help the first responders and healthcare workers who help all of us,” reads the tweet. “Every Sunday from 8-10 a.m. we’ll offer special hero hours nationally to help your community’s heroes do what they do best — keep you safe.”

To help limit crowds during these special hours, Sam’s Club asks that only healthcare workers and first responders shop during this time. Those who are eligible include doctors, nurses, aides, laboratory technicians, medical waste handlers, police officers, paramedics and firefighters. The store will not ask for any qualifying identification.

AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

In addition to “Hero Hours,” Sam’s Club has rolled out other new policies to help mitigate the spread of the virus, including hiring more employees and launching special shopping hours for senior citizens and those with compromised immune systems. They have introduced a concierge service, too, which allows vulnerable shoppers to shop without leaving their cars.

The company has also set a limit of two people in the warehouse for each membership card, and no more than 300 shoppers can be in the store at a time.

“Taking care of members is at the heart of our business. We know some members may need extra help during this time,” Sam’s Club said in a statement. “Thank you for your continued trust, loyalty and patience. Stay safe.”

What a nice way of recognizing medical professionals and first responders!

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Kate Streit

Kate Streit lives in Chicago. She enjoys stand-up comedy, mystery novels, memoirs, summer and pumpkin spice anything. More.

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