alt Hacker NewsAuthor here.
I think buying someone a coffee or beer in person is great if you are in the same location. I have done that for more than one colleague and asked them for their thoughts. You probably can't do that for everyone, but it's a good idea for the folks you know well who are in your area.
There's so much nuance and emotion around grievances that I'd want to have the conversation in person.
Once upon a time I took an afternoon off to give a coworker a ride home when they got laid off mid day; their ride was a coworker who was required to finish his shift due to circumstances.
It was honestly rough because it was immediately raw for them however it was a good thing.
Fwiw my manager was the one who had to do the layoff and they did not have any issue with me suddenly taking the afternoon off to do the deed. That shop really tried to be as good as they could about it.