Friday is National Donut Day – Free Donuts!

Mark your calendars for Free Donuts this Friday, June 5, on National Doughnut Day!  According to the Wikipedia article, the holiday started in 1938 “as a fund raiser for the Chicago Salvation Army” whose “goal was to help the needy during the Great Depression, and to honor the Salvation Army ‘Lassies’ of World War I, who served doughnuts to soldiers behind the front lines in France.” (see history below).

You can get your free donuts to celebrate at participating Krispy Kreme & Dunkin Donuts locations. Here’s what you need to know to get yours:

1) Krispy Kreme is offering a free doughnut on Friday, June 5. No purchase necessary, limit one per customer.

2) Dunkin Donuts, offers a free donut with the purchase of a beverage (limit one per person) — my favorite is Boston Kreme – how about you? The deals are available at participating locations while supplies last. Enjoy!

Here’s the background on National Donut Day which is always the first Friday in June.

National Doughnut Day honors the Salvation Army “Lassies” of WWI. It is also used as a fund raiser for needy causes of the Salvation Army.   National Doughnut Day was established in 1938 by the Chicago Salvation Army to raise much-needed funds during the Great Depression, and to honor the work of World War I Salvation Army volunteers who prepared doughnuts and other foods for thousands of soldiers. The original Salvation Army Doughnut was first served by Salvation Army in 1917. During WWI, Salvation Army “lassies” were sent to the front lines of Europe. These brave volunteers made home cooked foods, and provided a moral boost to the troops. Often, the doughnuts were cooked in oil inside the of the metal helmet of an American soldier. The American infantrymen were commonly called doughboys. Salvation Army lassies were the only women outside of military personnel allowed to visit the front lines. Lt. Colonel Helen Purviance is considered the Salvation Army’s “first doughnut girl”.

TRIVIA:  Also did you know that in the U.S. alone, more than 10 billion donuts are made every year?