The local office of The Salvation Army shared sweet treats with area residents Friday as part of its special celebration of National Donut Day. The event was not only a way to reach out to the local community, but also a way to remind residents of the long history of The Salvation Army in supporting neighbors in need.
The first Friday of each June is America’s sweetest holiday. National Donut Day was celebrated on June 7 this year. The Salvation Army is, in fact, the inspiration behind the holiday’s founding and one of the main reasons why it is still celebrated today. While The Salvation Army did not invent the donut, it is largely responsible for its entrenched popularity in American culture.
In 1917, The Salvation Army’s brave volunteers traveled to France during World War I to bring critical supplies and provide meaningful spiritual and emotional support to the soldiers who were risking their lives on the front lines. The women volunteers were nicknamed “Donut Lassies” for the donuts they fried and served to thousands of soldiers serving far from home on the front lines of a bitter war in a foreign land. Not only were the sweet treats delicious, but donuts also boosted morale and offered a sense of comfort to homesick soldiers.
In 1938, The Salvation Army celebrated the first National Donut Day in Chicago as a fundraiser to help those in need during the Great Depression. The holiday was also established to commemorate the work of the Donut Lassies, who brought much-needed hope to soldiers during a time of darkness.
The Salvation Army still serves on the front lines today in the fight against poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, addiction and other issues affecting individuals and families living in the United States.
Now, over 80 years later, The Salvation Army continues to provide essential services and programs to communities across the country. In Nash, Edgecombe and Wilson counties, The Salvation Army office based in Rocky Mount helps hundreds of people each year through social service programs (such as homelessness prevention and food pantry services), programs for senior citizens and programs for children (including the local Joshua’s Challenge Literacy program and the Angel Tree assistance program at Christmas.)
The Salvation Army is also an integral part of the emergency response team in the region in times of disasters such as fires, floods and tornadoes.
As Captain Claudia Meads, an officer with the local Salvation Army Corps, noted: “National Donut Day is a special holiday for us and serves as a reminder of the brave work we do every day for the good of our neighbors.”
Amelia Harper, community development director for the local Salvation Army Corps in Rocky Mount, added: “We are proud to be a part of the nation’s largest nongovernmental provider of social services and help in our local community.”
On Friday, Meads took an active part in the National Donut Day celebration as she dressed up as a Donut Lassie to help share the unique role The Salvation Army plays in the history and fabric of American culture.
The Salvation Army continues doing good at nearly 7,000 centers of operation around the country in addition to locations in more than 100 other countries. Locally, the main office can be found at 1000 Hunter Hill Road in Rocky Mount.
For more information about the work of the Salvation Army in Nash, Edgecombe and Wilson counties, please go to newsalvationarmy.org or check out the local office’s Facebook page (The Salvation Army of Nash, Edgecombe, Wilson counties).
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