78th Annual National Donut Day
Roseville, Minn. – Did you know that The Salvation Army is often credited with bringing the donut to America? It all started on the battle fields of France during World War I when Salvation Army workers served coffee and donuts to soldiers in the trenches, to help boost their spirits.
The resources were so limited, these clever women often fried the treats in the soldiers’ helmets. American GI’s loved the donuts. When they returned home, bakers in the United States quickly jumped in to meet the demand for them.
Friday, June 5 is the 78th National Donut Day. The celebration originally started in Chicago during the Great Depression to help raise money for The Salvation Army and to honor the so-called “Donut Lassies” who brought the treats to the front lines.
- The Salvation Army has newly discovered historical video from World War I showing the donuts being made in France. News outlets are welcome to use this video on their websites and in newscasts. If you would like it, please contact Julie Borgen at 612-201-6163 or julie_borgen@usc.salvationarmynorth.org, or grab it from our YouTube channel.
- YoYo Donuts and Coffee Bar will be giving away any donut with a hole for free, while supplies last, starting at 6 a.m.
Twin Cities Salvation Army
The Twin Cities Salvation Army serves more than 218,000 people a year through its local centers of operation, including 15 housing and shelter facilities and eight food shelves. Daily it serves nearly 1,400 hot meals and shelters more than 1,000 people each night. More than 26,600 local volunteers help The Salvation Army provide these and other services, from child daycare to Senior housing. Learn more about Salvation Army volunteer opportunities or make a donation. Connect with us on Facebook.com/SalvationArmyNorth and on Twitter @SalArmyNorth.