Starbucks gives free brewed coffee to customers who buy a beverage for another customer

From Wednesday (Oct. 9) to Friday (Oct. 11), Starbucks is offering a free tall brewed coffee to any customer who buys another person a beverage at Starbucks.

CEO Howard Schultz says the offer is a way to help fellow citizens "support and connect with one another, even as we wait for our elected officials to do the same for our country."

An ad that's running in major newspapers today (at right) says: "In times like these, a small act of generosity and civility can make a big difference. Let's see what can happen. #payitforward."

* Starbucks promotion prods lawmakers to come together
* Starbucks giving away free coffee in push for shutdown deal
* Some say Starbucks should stay out of politics (not on this issue, I say)