The Salvation Army’s National Donut Day Honours Veterans

Celebrated on the first Friday of June, National Donut Day was first created in 1938 by The Salvation Army in Chicago to honour those who served donuts to encourage and cheer up the soldiers during the First World War. Since then, donuts have symbolized The Salvation Army’s long history in caring for and providing dignity to those who come to them in their darkest hour.

Salvation Army lassies who made the donuts were the only women outside of military personnel allowed to visit the front lines. As the donut gained popularity it was reported that some pilots even dropped notes asking for donuts for their troops.

In Canada, in recognition of donut day, Salvation Army communities such as Langley, B.C., Bowmanville, Ont., and downtown Toronto are joining forces with local businesses to hand out donuts.
“We don’t want people to forget the sacrifices made by our veterans,” says Lt-Colonel Jamie Braund of The Salvation Army. “Although this is a small gesture, it is another reminder that they have and still make a commitment to protect us every day.”