06/03/2026
Every year on the first Friday of June, America celebrates National Donut Day with free treats and donut deals, but behind the glaze and sprinkles is a powerful history of remarkable women who showed up with compassion when it mattered most. This June 5, The Salvation Army in Central Ohio invites its neighbors to fill our community with joy by honoring the heart and resilience of the tradition.
National Donut Day was established in 1938 to honor the women who volunteered with The Salvation Army to provide spiritual and emotional care, critical supplies, and freshly fried donuts to American soldiers on the front lines of World War I. These women became known as “Donut
Lassies,” and today, their legacy is a reminder that small acts of kindness can carry enormous joy.
Nearly nine decades later, The Salvation Army continues to provide essential services and programs to vulnerable communities in nearly every ZIP code. In 2025, The Salvation Army in Central Ohio helped 59,555 people with basic needs and emergency assistance (food, utility, rent & clothing) and provided 472,403 meals.
“National Donut Day is a beautiful reminder of what has always defined our mission, showing up for people in their most difficult moments with compassion and care,” shared Major Jodi Lloyd, Area Commander at The Salvation Army in Central Ohio. “From the battlefields of World War I to the neighborhoods across Central Ohio today, that dedication to serving our community with joy and purpose has never wavered.”
To celebrate one of the sweetest days of the year, The Salvation Army in Central Ohio will be handing out donuts to neighbors and honoring veterans on Friday, June 5 beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, located at 300 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215. Donuts will be available while supplies last.