Friday June 4th is National Donut Day - Celebrated on the first Friday in June. Krispy Kreme is offering a free donut to folks who are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 but Friday you can get two! Duck Donuts will give you a free bare, cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar donut Friday, no purchase necessary. All locations are participating. At Dunkin', purchase any beverage Friday and get a free classic donut of your choice, while supplies last.
But the origin of National Donut Day is pretty awesome! It dates back to World War I, when nearly 250 Salvation Army volunteers known as "Donut Lassies" traveled overseas to provide emotional and spiritual support and other services to troops on the front lines. Part of those services was serving up fried dough to our troops!
The original donuts were fried in small pans on the front lines. The Lassies brought their recipe home to the United States and the donut was here to stay!
The Salvation Army in Chicago celebrated the first National Donut Day in 1938 to commemorate their work and help those in need during the Great Depression.
They continue the tradition today. For more than a century the Salvation Army has provided a wide range of essential services like food, shelter, and emotional and spiritual support to the most vulnerable and to the men and women serving on the front lines of need.
The Salvation Army will celebrate across the country. Here are just a few of the cities and what they are doing.
Austin, Texas: Partnering with H-E-B grocery stores to deliver donuts to first responders, frontline workers, and others in need of a sweet surprise.
Cincinnati, Ohio: Making a special delivery to the Veteran's Hospital and encouraging the public to go purchase a dozen donuts from their favorite bakery, share it with someone special (friends, family, hometown hero), and post it to social while mentioning #NationalDonutDay.
Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware: GIANT and Martin's grocery stores will give $0.50 to The Salvation Army for every dozen donuts sold on Donut Day.
Lynchburg, Virginia: Delivering donuts to first responders, active military, fire fighters and police officers thanking them for their service on the front lines of need.
Chicago, Illinois: Partnering with Clyde's Donuts, to not only celebrate front-line workers with their delicious treats, but also celebrate the bakery's 100th anniversary.
Denver, Colorado: Partnering with LaMar's Donuts to distribute donuts to hospital workers, police officers, and firefighters.
Minneapolis, Minnesota: Recruiting one thousand volunteers to help deliver 1,000 dozen donuts to members of the community who make a difference, including teachers, neighbors, first responders or friends. Those who volunteer will also get a box of free donuts.