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Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

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Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!

Please enter your first name
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Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

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History
Recipe
Fast Facts
Assets

 

 

National Donut Day: A Legacy of Compassion

In 1938, Chicago celebrated the first-ever National Donut Day, immortalizing the history of The Salvation Army’s Donut Lassies. These remarkable women were dispatched to France in 1917, establishing field bases near the front lines. In makeshift huts, thousands of soldiers sought essential goods and indulged in sweet treats lovingly baked by the Lassies.

Their presence and the comforting taste of home brought hope and happiness to the battlefield—a morale boost for weary soldiers. Interestingly, the Donut Lassies are also credited with popularizing donuts in the United States after the troops (commonly known as “doughboys”) returned from European battles. Today, over a century later, The Salvation Army continues its frontline service, providing vital social services to the most vulnerable individuals and families across the nation.

 

 
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Ready to Bake the Original Donuts?

Why not try your hand at making the donuts that started it all?
Below, you’ll find our century-old recipe. Bake and share these sweet treats with whomever needs them most! 

Salvation Army WWI Donut Ingredients

Yield: 60 donuts

  • 2 large eggs
  • 5 cups flour
  • 2 cup sugar
  • 5 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 tablespoon salt
  • 1 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 tub lard (this can be substituted with butter or vegetable oil)
Directions
  1.  

    Combine Ingredients: Mix all the ingredients (except for the oil) to create the dough.

  2. Knead and Roll: Thoroughly knead the dough, then roll it out smoothly. Cut the dough into rings that are less than 1/4 inch thick. (Get creative when finding items to cut out the donut circles—just like the Salvation Army Donut Lassies did with baking powder cans and coffee percolator tubes!)

  3. Fry in Oil: Drop the rings into hot oil, ensuring gradual browning. Turn the donuts slowly several times.

  4. Remove and Drain: Once browned, remove the donuts and let excess oil drip off.

  5. Dust with Powdered Sugar: Finish by dusting the donuts with powdered sugar. Let them cool, and enjoy!

Download the Famous Donut Recipe

DONUT DAY ORIGINS

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.

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WINNING HEARTS AND STOMACHS

Donut Lassies were Salvation Army volunteers who baked and delivered donuts during World War I.

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SUGAR + FLOUR + COURAGE

The donut was, and continues to be, a taste of home and a symbol of comfort to people living in the United States.

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PR contacts

National media relations are handled by The Salvation Army National Headquarters in Alexandria, VA, and its public relations consultant, Lerma Agency.

All local media are asked to first contact their local Salvation Army representative for all inquiries, including spokesperson requests.

Territorial Press Contacts Local Contacts

For media queries, please contact:


The Salvation Army
mediarelations@salvationarmyusa.org

 

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For other inquiries, contact your local Salvation Army:

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