Happy National Doughnut Day

The next time you dunk your favorite doughnut, thank The Salvation Army. While The Army may not have invented the first doughnut - that distinction is lost in history --it can certainly take credit for the popularity of the doughnut today.

A little history: In August, 1917, fighting raged near Montiers, France, as soldiers huddled in camp - hungry, weary and drenched by 36 consecutive days of rain. In a tent near the front lines, Salvation Army lassies made doughnuts by filling a refuge pail with oil made dough with left over flour and other ingredients on hand, and used a wine bottle as a rolling pin. With a baking powder tin for a cutter and a tube for making the holes, doughnuts were fried - seven at a time - in soldier's steel helmets on an 18-inch stove.

Rain fell continuously, and the water-soaked tent finally collapsed. However, the 100doughnuts made on that first day were an immediate success. Soon, as many as 500 soldiers stood in muck outside the resurrected tent waiting for the sweet taste of doughnuts and before long, 9,000 doughnuts were being made around the clock. The tent became the first 24-hour doughnut shop.

Word spread and before long, Salvation Army lassies were making doughnuts wherever the war was being fought. Doughnuts were taken to the front lines, and it was reported that some pilots even dropped notes asking for doughnuts for their troops.

The doughnut's identity with The Salvation Army stuck. Doughnuts appeared everywhere The Army did. Ever since that August day in France 92 years ago, millions of doughnuts have been provided free by The Salvation Army to fireman, rescue workers, disaster victims - anyone in need. Salvation Army lassies made doughnuts the popular wartime food, and the doughnut came to symbolize the good work of The Salvation Army.

So now that you know a little history, go out and enjoy a doughnut, appreciating the deeper meaning behind it.