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National Donut Day

Created by The Salvation Army in 1938, celebrated nationwide ever since.

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A Sweet History

Did you know that The Salvation Army invented what we now know as the donut during WWI? That’s right! In 1917, General John Pershing knew his soldiers would need encouragement to boost morale. At his urging, 250 Salvationists, many of them women, volunteered to risk their lives at the front lines in France to set up rest huts. Unable to bake in these conditions, the women fashioned a bit of dough and fried it up to hand out to the brave young men.

In 1938, the first-ever National Donut Day was celebrated in Chicago, and the history of The Salvation Army’s Donut Lassies was officially immortalized. Still today, The Salvation Army continues to serve on the front lines through a wide range of social services for the most vulnerable individuals and families living in the United States.

Events

Salvation Army locations across the Commonwealth will be distributing donuts to first responders, community partners, and through their food pantries this June. We invite you to join us at a community event near you.

Find a Free Donut Near You

Want to try your hand at making the donuts that started it all?

Below, you’ll find our century-old recipe so you can bake and share these sweet treats with whomever needs them most.

SALVATION ARMY WWI DONUT INGREDIENTS

Yield: 60 donuts

2 large eggs
5 cups flour
2 cup sugar
5 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 tablespoon salt
1 3/4 cup milk
1 tub lard (this can be substituted with butter or vegetable oil)

DIRECTIONS

Combine all ingredients (except for oil) to make dough.
Thoroughly knead dough, roll smooth, and cut into rings that are less than 1/4 inch thick. (When finding items to cut out donut circles, be creative! Salvation Army Donut Lassies used whatever they could find, from baking powder cans to coffee percolator tubes.)
Drop the rings into the oil, making sure the oil is hot enough to brown the donuts gradually. Turn the donuts slowly several times.
When browned, remove donuts and allow excess oil to drip off.
Dust with powdered sugar. Let cool and enjoy!

Download Recipe (PDF)

DONUT DAY ORIGINS

The Salvation Army created the first donut day event in Chicago in 1938 as a fundraiser to help those in need during The Great Depression.

WINNING HEARTS AND STOMACHS

Donut Lassies were Salvation Army volunteers who baked and delivered donuts during World War I.

SUGAR + FLOUR + COURAGE

The donut was, and continues to be, a taste of home and a symbol of comfort to people living in the United States.