Celebrate Donut Day with Salvation Army

Jun 5, 2025

Celebrate Donut Day!

Every year on the first Friday of June, we celebrate National Donut Day! Do you know where this sweet tradition started? Fun fact: 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. Read below for more history and we even included an original recipe for you to try!

 

Meet the Donut Lassies

In 1917, The Salvation Army responded to a call for help from U.S. soldiers fighting in France during World War I. At the request of General John J. Pershing, over 250 volunteers traveled overseas to set up small huts near the front lines, providing soldiers with supplies, clothing, and, most importantly - sweet treats.

Faced with the challenge of baking under difficult conditions, two officers — Ensign Margaret Sheldon and Adjutant Helen Purviance — came up with the idea of frying donuts. These simple yet delicious snacks quickly lifted the spirits of the troops, becoming a symbol of comfort and care in the midst of war.

The women who served the donuts became known as the “Donut Lassies” and are often credited with introducing the donut to the American public when soldiers returned home from the war. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, The Salvation Army continued to make and distribute donuts, offering a sense of hope during the Great Depression.

A Recipe From the Front Lines

Ingredients

  • 2 large eggs
  • 5 cups flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 5 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 tablespoon salt
  • 1 3/4 cups milk
  • 1 tub lard (other alternatives like butter or vegetable oil will also work)

Directions:

  • Combine all ingredients (except for lard) to make dough
  • Thoroughly knead dough, roll smooth, and cut into rings that are less than 1/4 inch thick
  • Drop the rings in the lard, making sure the fat is hot enough to brown the donuts gradually. Turn the donuts slowly several times.
  • When browned, remove donuts and allow excess fat to drip off.
  • Dust with powdered sugar. Let cool and enjoy!

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