Sugar + Flour + Courage
Created by The Salvation Army in 1938. Celebrated worldwide ever since!
Did you know that National Donut Day actually has its roots in doing the most good? Celebrated each year on the first Friday in June, this sweet tradition dates back to World War 1, when nearly 250 Salvation Army volunteers knows as “Donut Lassies” traveled overseas to provide emotional and spiritual support, as well as fried confections, to troops out on the frontlines.
The donuts were fried in small pans on the battlefield and up to 9,000 were served to troops daily. The Lassies are even credited with popularizing the donut in the United States when troops returned home from war. The Salvation Army celebrated the first National Donut Day in Chicago in 1938 to commemorate the Lassies work and to help those in need during the Great Depression.
That same spirit of service continues to this day. The SalvationArmy provides essential services like food, shelter, housing, emotional and spiritual support to the most vulnerable without discrimination.
Want to try your hand at making the donuts that started it all?
Below you’ll find the century old recipe so you can share these sweet treats with whomever needs them most.
