National Donut Day

About the event

It’s time for the sweetest day of the year, National Donut Day! As Americans celebrate all the gooey goodness of donuts on June 5, they may not know that, unlike other fun holidays, Donut Day has a deeper meaning.

National Donut Day became a holiday thanks to The Salvation Army’s work during World War I. In 1938, The Salvation Army in Chicago celebrated the very first National Donut Day, honoring The Salvation Army’s “Donut Lassies” who traveled overseas to provide emotional and spiritual support, supplies, and other services to our troops on the front lines in France. The Lassies also provided fresh donuts and hot coffee to soldiers fighting in the trenches in order to raise their spirits and thank them for their service.

Today, The Salvation Army of Greater St. Louis continues to serve on the front lines through a wide range of social services for our veterans. We distribute over 80 dozen donuts to veterans homes, hospitals and other local organizations in celebration each year.

More information on local events coming soon. Volunteers and donors needed!