The Salvation Army in Greater Cleveland Celebrates National Donut Day
Cleveland, OH (June 2nd, 2022) — National Donut Day is celebrated each year on the first Friday of June, but people may be surprised to learn that donuts do more than simply taste good. They can actually do good, too.
The Salvation Army established National Donut Day in 1938 to honor The Salvation Army’s “Donut Lassies,” who made history when they risked their lives to raise spirits and fuel hope by serving thousands of soldiers during WWI, in part by delivering donuts and other sweet treats to those in the war.
In 1917, Salvation Army volunteers traveled to France and set up makeshift huts on the front lines, where they provided essential goods and sweet treats to boost morale. The donut was then and continues to be a taste of home and a symbol of comfort for Americans.
More than a hundred years later, The Salvation Army is still serving on the front lines through a wide range of social services for America’s most vulnerable individuals and families.
“This National Donut Day, as the country celebrates with a sweet treat, we are proud to remember that this tradition started with our own volunteers more than a hundred years ago,” said Major Thomas Applin. “For us, the donut symbolizes the hope that The Salvation Army provides to those in need.”
For more information about National Donut Day or downloading the Donut Lassies’ original recipe, visit salarmy.us/DonutDay.