Friday June 3rd Is National Donut Day -More Than Just Deals on Donuts

CARNEGIE, Pa., June 1, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Friday, June 3, 2016, and on the first Friday in June each year, National Donut Day is celebrated across the United States.  People go out in droves to their favorite supermarket, donut shops and bakeries to celebrate the day with a great deal on these tasty treats.  But National Donut Day is not just a marketing scheme dreamed up by donut sellers to push their products.   In fact, the first National Donut Day was created by The Salvation Army. 

During World War I, in an effort to provide some of the comforts of home, female volunteers and Salvation Army officers set up huts near the front lines and provided warm meals, clothes mending services, postage stamps and writing supplies, and homemade treats for the US soldiers.  Since 1917, The Salvation Army donut has symbolized the loving concern by the organization for those in the Armed Forces.  The Salvation Army celebrated the first National Donut Day in Chicago in 1938, to raise funds to help the needy during the Great Depression, and to pay tribute to the "Donut Lassies" who served our soldiers.

To honor the history of Donut Day, Giant Eagle will donate a portion of donut proceeds from National Donut Day to The Salvation Army organizations in North East Ohio and Western PA.  Giant Eagle is giving Advantage Card customers a variety of ways to enjoy free donuts in celebration of National Donut Day. Six donuts free with the purchase of six donuts;  one donut free with the purchase of a hot or cold dispensed and fountain beverage ; and continuing the celebration throughout summer, donuts will be $5 per dozen every Friday.

"Giant Eagle has been a great partner of The Salvation Army of Western PA", stated its Divisional Commander, Major Deborah Sedlar. "In many different ways throughout the year, and on National Donut Day, we are blessed with their generous support."  Her comments were echoed by Major Evan Hickman, Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army of Northeast Ohio, who added: "We are grateful for our partnership with Giant Eagle. Their participation in National Donut Day, and throughout the year, is a testimony to their belief in our mission of helping others and supporting the needs of our communities."   Dan Donovan, Giant Eagle spokesperson added, "For 85 years Giant Eagle has been dedicated to supporting the communities we serve. As longstanding partners of the Salvation Army, we are thrilled to commemorate this National Donut Day with our continued support of their impactful community programs."

Celebrating over 150 years of global service as both a church and a social service organization, The Salvation Army began in London, England in 1865.  Today, it provides critical services in 127 countries worldwide.  The 28-county Western Pennsylvania Division serves thousands of needy families through a wide variety of support services.  To learn more about The Salvation Army in Western Pennsylvania, log on to www.wpa.salvationarmy.org The Salvation Army … doing the most good for the most people in the most need.     

SOURCE Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division

Related Links

http://www.wpa.salvationarmy.org