The Salvation Army of Summit County Fills the Community with Joy This National Donut Day
Akron, Ohio (June 5, 2026) — Every year on the first Friday of June, America celebrates National Donut Day with free treats and donut deals, but behind the glaze and sprinkles is a powerful history of remarkable women who showed up with compassion when it mattered most. This June 5, The Salvation Army of Summit County invites its neighbors to fill our community with joy by honoring the heart and resilience of the tradition.
National Donut Day was established in 1938 to honor the women who volunteered with The Salvation Army to provide spiritual and emotional care, critical supplies, and freshly fried donuts to American soldiers on the front lines of World War I. These women became known as “Donut Lassies,” and today, their legacy is a reminder that small acts of kindness can carry enormous joy.
Nearly nine decades later, The Salvation Army has continued to provide essential services and programs to vulnerable communities in nearly every ZIP code in the United States. In Summit County, The Salvation Army helps over 67,000 people each year through 30+ wrap-around services providing emergency food for families, homeless prevention and housing stability for neighbors in need, and early education and enrichment programs for youth.
"From the trenches of World War I to the neighborhoods of Summit County today, The Salvation Army has stood alongside those facing hardship. National Donut Day celebrates that legacy of service and reminds us that even the smallest acts of kindness can bring comfort, hope, and lasting change," stated Captain Bramwell Applin, Area Commander of The Salvation Army in Summit County.
To celebrate one of the sweetest days of the year, The Salvation Army of Summit County will be handing donuts out at the Stow Pop-up Food Distribution from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM in partnership with Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, Stow Helping Hands, and City of Stow. Captain Bramwell Applin will also be at Lock 3 in downtown Akron from noon to 1:00 PM, distributing donuts with City of Akron's Fire Chief, Leon Henderson.
"The Salvation Army in Summit County would like to give a massive "Thank you" to our friends at Krispy Kreme Akron, Store #325, located at 354 S Maple St, Akron, OH 44302, which will generously be providing 160 dozen donuts for these events and others as we honor our donors, funders, our neighbors in need, first responders, and veterans," continued Captain Applin.
Sharing a donut with a neighbor or volunteering in our community is a simple way to carry forward the tradition of spreading joy this June 5. For more information about National Donut Day or to download the Donut Lassies’ original donut recipe, visit www.facebook.com/AkronSalvationArmy .
For more information about The Salvation Army Summit County Area Services, to volunteer, or make a donation, visit SalvationArmySummit.org or call 330-762-8481.