The Salvation Army of Geneva will hand out sweet treats and serve up community spirit this Friday as it celebrates National Donut Day, a holiday the organization helped create more than 80 years ago.
Major David Champlin said the day honors the history of The Salvation Army and the legacy of the “Donut Lassies,” volunteers who comforted soldiers during World War I by frying and serving donuts on the front lines. “National Donut Day is a special holiday for us and serves as a reminder of the work we do every day for the good of our neighbors,” Champlin said.
The tradition began in 1917, when Salvation Army volunteers traveled to France during the war to provide supplies, spiritual support, and a taste of home. The donuts they made became a morale booster for thousands of American troops. In 1938, the organization launched National Donut Day in Chicago both as a fundraiser during the Great Depression and a tribute to the Donut Lassies’ service.
In Geneva, The Salvation Army continues that spirit by providing food distribution, spiritual counseling, and emergency aid to those facing hardship. Friday’s event will include free donuts, provided by Bimbo Bakery.
The Salvation Army helps more than 23 million Americans each year through a range of programs. Its services include hunger relief, disaster response, addiction rehabilitation, and shelter support, delivered through more than 7,600 centers nationwide.
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