National Donut Day returns Nov. 5, with Chicago giveaway and Salvation Army roots
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
National Donut Day is observed Thursday, Nov. 5, one of two such days each year in the U.S.
The day began in 1938 as a Salvation Army fundraiser honoring WWI doughnut servers.
Background
National Donut Day is one of two days donut lovers across the U.S. observe; the other is the first Friday in June. The Salvation Army, the charity that created the day, started it in 1938 as a fundraiser for its Chicago branch to help the needy during the Great Depression, and to honor its "Donut Lassies" — women who served doughnuts to soldiers in World War I. The Lassies were sent to France in 1917 to set up field bases near the front lines, where soldiers could stock up on essential goods and grab a doughnut.
How it unfolded
- 1917The Salvation Army's Donut Lassies were sent to France to set up field bases near the front lines, serving doughnuts and essential goods to thousands of soldiers.
- 1938The first National Donut Day was held in Chicago as a Salvation Army fundraiser during the Great Depression, honoring the WWI Lassies.
- Nov 5, 2026National Donut Day is observed on Thursday, Nov. 5, the second of the year's two donut days.
- Nov 5, 2026Stans Donuts & Coffee is giving away 2,000 donuts, 500 at each of four Millennium Park Garages in downtown Chicago, starting 7:30 a.m.
Key terms
- Salvation Army
- An international Christian church and charitable organization founded in London, known for charity shops, shelters, and disaster relief.
- Great Depression
- A severe worldwide economic downturn lasting from 1929 to 1939, marked by high unemployment and widespread business failures.
- proofing
- A baking step in which yeast dough rests and rises a final time before baking.
Source: Wikipedia
Who’s saying what
- Expert
- Kaitlyn Venable, director of culinary at Shipley Donuts, says time is an ingredient — dough needs to rest and rise and the oil must reach the right temperature, because great donuts can't be hurried.
- Expert
- Alex McEntire, owner of Chin Up Donuts in Scottsdale, Arizona, says ample proofing time is worthwhile and often overlooked; his shop can do a 24-hour cold proof on its brioche dough.