National Doughnut Day started in 1938 as a fund raiser for Chicago ‘s The Salvation Army. According to Days of the Year the History of the Doughnut is quite fascinating.
This day has special significance, and this goes all the way back to the events of the First World War. There wasn’t a lot for our soldiers to cheer about when they risked life and limb on a daily basis, but Doughnut Day came to pass, in part, due to the efforts of a doctor in the military in the first World War who sought to brighten the day of the wounded soldiers he worked on. On his first day to the Military Base, he purchased 8 dozen doughnuts and gave one to each soldier he worked on.
After giving one to Lieutenant General Samuel Geary, who received it with great mirth and appreciation for the doctors work, Samuel decided to start a fundraiser, letting the young doctor, Morgan Pett, to continue to provide doughnuts to his patients.
This fundraiser began working together with the Salvation Army who, after a fact-finding mission, determined that many needs of the soldiers could be met by creating social centers that would provide all sorts of amenities, including the doughnuts.
The Salvation Army sent 250 volunteers to France to help put these huts together, which soon became a mainstay of military life. One record of a day in the huts recorded up to 300 doughnuts and 700 cups of coffee being served as part of their service. Due to the majority of the workers being female, the Salvation Army workers started to be known as “Doughnut Dollies.”
Back at home, in honor of the work that had been created for the brave soldiers on the front line, people used ‘Doughnut Day’ to raise awareness about the war, and to raise funds for the Salvation Army. This tradition to raise money for the organization still happens today.
According to Today website there are a bunch of national chains (in the US) sharing sweet deals and freebies to celebrate all day long. On Friday, June 4, get a free classic doughnut of your choice with any beverage purchase, while supplies last at participating locations. In honor of the occasion, Dunkin’ will also be launching limited-edition customizable #NationalDonutDay collection, available at noon EST on Thursday, June 3, exclusively at shopdunkin.com.
On Friday, June 4, all guests can enjoy any doughnut of their choice free, no purchase necessary, but you may be able to score two doughnuts that day! The chain is also still honoring its free Original Glazed doughnut offer with a valid vaccination card. In addition, all Krispy Kreme guests can enjoy a $1 Original Glazed dozen with the purchase of any dozen on National Doughnut Day as well.
Pinkbox Doughnuts will be giving away free limited edition Pinkbox Doughnut T-shirts with the purchase of a dozen doughnuts. Pinkbox is known for having some fun merch, so this can be a great way of having your doughnut and wearing it, too.
The UK now enjoy celebrating this special day but also organise a National Doughnut Week in July with The Children’s Trust.
National Doughnut Week has announced it will be moving the dates for its annual charity week from May to July. Due to recent developments in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, National Doughnut Week will now be held on 10th – 18th July 2021 and registration is now open.
The charity week, sponsored by CSM Bakery Solutions, raises vital funds for The Children’s Trust, the UK’s leading charity for children with brain injury.
Independent Hertfordshire bakery, Simmons Bakers, said: “For National Doughnut Week last year we produced an extra range of hand-finished luxury doughnuts, the sales of which we donated a portion of. We sold over 3,500 doughnuts, donating 25p each and raising £900. It was a fantastic way for us to offer support in the way we know best – sweet treats! We are honoured to have been able to contribute to such a worthy cause and will continue to do so each year.”
Welsh bakers, Jenkins Bakeries, commented: “David Jenkins Ltd is proud to participate in National Doughnut Week. It is a seasonal event that our staff in the bakery and our retail teams look forward to during the year. Not only is it a great opportunity to showcase our superb range of doughnuts but also to support The Children’s Trust.
There will be lots more on this to follow.
Source: Days of the Year, National Doughnut Week
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