Free donuts in Minnetonka on National Donut Day
YoYo Donuts in Minnetonka is giving its customers one free donut on Friday, June 6 in honor of National Donut Day.
Yes, free. Cookies and Cream cake donut? Free. Espresso-glazed raised donut? Free. Classic chocolate with sprinkles? Free.
It gets better. To celebrate National Donut Day, the bakery will fry special batches of donuts using the original recipe that Salvation Army “Donut Lassies” used for soldiers battling on the front lines of World War I.
“I’ve never seen a simpler recipe, or one that comes out tasting so good,” said YoYo head baker Stormy Strommer (pictured above), a veteran donuteer with 50 years of experience. “All my life I’ve heard about the Salvation Army ladies handing out donuts to the soldiers. I’m proud to be part of this.”
Watch Strommer whip up a batch from scratch, with thoughts from YoYo owner Chris Moquist:
There’s more. Leading up to National Donut Day, YoYo will give away one box of a dozen donuts every day through a fun Twitter contest that begins Saturday, May 31.
Additionally, the bakery will give The Salvation Army 20 boxes of original-recipe donuts to hand out at senior housing facilities on National Donut Day.
“Some of these seniors would have received the exact same donuts from Donut Lassies who served during World War II and Vietnam,” said Major Jeff Strickler, Twin Cities Salvation Army commander. “We are thrilled that YoYo Donuts has taken such a keen interest in The Salvation Army and our history.”
Donut history
The Salvation Army started National Donut Day during the Great Depression to commemorate Donut Lassies, who are often credited with popularizing donuts in America.
“World War I soldiers loved the Salvation Army donuts so much that they demanded more when they returned home,” Strickler said.
Moquist (pictured) believes he owes his livelihood to The Salvation Army.
“The reason that YoYo Donuts is here today is because of what The Salvation Army did way back in World War I,” he said. “We’re thrilled to promote and honor this Salvation Army initiative, going back to its history.”
YoYo Donuts will display historic Salvation Army materials inside the store on National Donut Day.