GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — As many people celebrate National Donut Day on Friday, the warm, delicious treat also serves as a symbol of hope.
"National Donut Day was started back in 1938 to commemorate the work of the Salvation Army Donut Lassies, which were women that went to serve donuts and coffee to the soldiers that were serving on the front lines during World War I," said Nicole Hanley, marketing coordinator for the Salvation Army of Greater Green Bay.
"They kind of served the donuts as a taste of things from back home and a symbol of hope," she said. "And just as the Salvation Army still provides services and serves as a symbol of hope today, we're here to hand out donuts and greet people and remind them of the origins of National Donut Day."
Along with commemorating the work of the Donut Lassies, the Salvation Army delivered thousands of donuts around the country on Friday to demonstrate the impact of a small token of kindness.
In Green Bay, The Salvation Army partnered with Uncle Mike’s Bake Shoppe to hand out free original war-time recipe donuts to customers Friday morning, Hanley said. Uncle Mike’s also donated $2 from every dozen donuts sold that day to The Salvation Army of Greater Green Bay.
