National Doughnut Day

Yes. That yummy donut you have in the morning with a cup of hot joe or tall glass of milk has a day devoted just to it. National Doughnut Day.

The first Friday in June was set aside as National Doughnut (or donut) Day in 1938. The Chicago Salvation Army was looking for a way to increase donations for money desperately needed during the Great Depression. It was also during this period they decided it was time to honor World War I (also called The Great War or The War to end all Wars) Salvation Army volunteers who supported the American troops in France by making donuts and hot meals for thousands of soldiers fighting on the front lines.

The year was 1917. Salvation Army volunteers who were called "Lassies" were sent to the front lines in Europe during World War 1. Their mission was to cook food and provide a moral boost for the homesick young men in the foxholes. They were the only women, beside military personnel, who were allowed to be so close to the front lines. The first "doughnut girl" is regarded to be Lt. Colonel Helen Purviance.

The Lassies had to be creative, at times, cooking donuts in a metal helmet belonging to one of the soldiers or using metal pails filled with hot oil. They made the donuts using leftover flour and any other ingredients they had on hand. An empty wine bottle became their rolling pin, a baking powder tin a cutter and a camphor-ice suck tube carved the hole in their sweet creations.

Soldiers would gather outside the tent where donuts floated in a bath of hot oil. They eagerly waited for the round, golden brown, deep-fried sweet treats to finish their dip in the bubbling oil. Each unit had their own recipe because ingredients weren't always available.

Donuts were not known to people in the states until the soldiers began to return home from Europe. Bakeries began adding donuts to their shops as more and more soldiers searched for their favorite wartime treats back home and once Americans got a taste of the donut, it was here to stay.

The term "Doughboy" is not related to the doughnut. The first reference to soldiers being called doughboy dates back to the U.S.-Mexican War.

Today, the U.S. donut industry is worth 3.6 billion dollars. We consume 10 billion of our favorite donuts a year. The Guinness Book of World Records show John Haight (location unknown) as the record holder for eating 29 donuts in just over 6 minutes. Canada puts away the most donuts in a year and as those who follow the Simpsons know, Homer's favorite food is the donut. The hole in the middle has an important purpose besides making a handy place for your finger. It allows the donut to cook evenly. The first donut machine was invented in 1920 by Adolph Levitt.

Today, the word "Doughnut" has been shortened to "Donut." So don't worry how it's spelled. Make sure to pick up a dozen of your favorite donuts the first Friday in June. Don't forget to make a donation to your local Salvation Army Center to honor the many Lassies who risked their lives during WW 1 to give comfort and care to U.S. soldiers who fought for freedom and democracy in France. It's also a reminder to donate in order to help those who need a shoulder to lean on and to the Salvation Army for their dedication and creative ways to raise money for worthy causes.

Donut Day, The Salvation Army

National Doughnut Day, Holidayinsights.com

National Doughnut Day, Lamars