Will County restaurants to give away free food for a COVID-19 shot

The Will County Health Department is partnering with local restaurants to give free food to residents who decide to get vaccinated for COVID-19.

Two McDonald’s in eastern Will County and two Golden Corral Buffets in Joliet and Bolingbrook will host the vaccine events this month and offer incentives to recipients, according to a news release.

“We are grateful to Golden Corral Buffet & Grill and McDonald’s for the partnership in this important promotion to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations,” Cindy Jackson, Will County Health Department vaccine coordinator, said in a statement. “This is a win-win situation. Receive a free life-saving COVID-19 vaccine and enjoy free food from these restaurants.”

The McDonald’s at 701 Oriole Drive in Peotone will hold its event on Wednesday, Oct. 13, from 8 until 10:30 a.m. and on Tuesday, Oct. 19, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. The McDonald’s at 901 Dixie Highway in Beecher will host a vaccine event on Thursday, Oct. 14 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Vaccine recipients will receive a coupon for one free sandwich.

There will also be a vaccine clinic at the Golden Corral at 361 Brookview Lane in Bolingbrook on Saturday, Oct. 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Golden Corral at 2100 W. Jefferson St. in Joliet will host a vaccine event on Monday, Oct. 18 from 1 to 6 p.m.

Vaccine recipients will receive a coupon for a one free meal at Golden Corral.

“We are continuing our efforts to make the COVID-19 vaccine as readily available as possible for as many of our residents as possible,” Jackson said in a statement. “We understand vaccine hesitancy and have worked hard to eliminate any misinformation about vaccine safety. The COVID-19 vaccinations are safe and effective. We hope this additional incentive will encourage more people to get vaccinated.”

As of Friday, 55.7% of Will County’s nearly 700,000 residents are fully vaccinated, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

For more, including where to find the nearest vaccine clinic, visit willcountyhealth.org.