Every year on the first Friday of June, America celebrates National Donut Day with free treats and donut deals, but behind the glaze and sprinkles is a powerful history of remarkable women who showed up with compassion when it mattered most. This June 5th, The Salvation Army of Greater Winston-Salem invites its neighbors to fill our community with joy by honoring the heart and resilience of the tradition.
National Donut Day was established in 1938 to honor the women who volunteered with The Salvation Army to provide spiritual and emotional care, critical supplies, and freshly fried donuts to American soldiers on the front lines of World War I. These women became known as “Donut Lassies,” and today, their legacy is a reminder that small acts of kindness can carry enormous joy.
Nearly nine decades later, The Salvation Army continues to provide essential services and programs to vulnerable communities in nearly every ZIP code. In Winston-Salem, The Salvation Army helps thousands of people each year through Family Emergency Services, Youth Programs, Food Pantry, Senior Services, Veterans Assistance, and Utility Bill Assistance.
“National Donut Day is a beautiful reminder of what has always defined our mission, showing up for people in their most difficult moments with compassion and care,” said Major Chuck Whiten, Area Commander of The Salvation Army of Greater Winston-Salem. “From the battlefields of World War I to the neighborhoods of Winston-Salem today, that dedication to serving our community with joy and purpose has never wavered.”
Sharing a donut with a neighbor or volunteering in our community is a simple way to carry forward the tradition of spreading joy this June 5th. For more information about National Donut Day, visit www.SalvationArmy WS.org.