Notes from Jan

National Donut Day

June 3, 2016

Today is National Donut Day. We must be thin on days worth celebrating.  Don’t get me wrong, I live in the area that birthed Dunkin’ Donuts, though I prefer Jim’s in Glosta.

Well, Gordon College is celebrating the day today with free coffee and donuts for all campus employees.  They’re having contests, like how many and how fast one can swallow one or more of the 10 billion donuts Americans consume every year.

Curious, I looked up the history of this day and found it linked with the Salvation Army.  I knew I loved those folks!  During WWI, Salvation Army Lassies brought donuts and coffee to soldiers in the trenches of the battlefields in France. In 1938 the day became official, as a fundraiser for the Salvation Army’s ministry , which includes feeding the hungry.

Last year 30 million Americans received assistance from the Salvation Army. Today’s a good day to see a donut as a way of tossing a ring of hope, a lifesaver to folks who frequent the Salvation Army’s food pantries, meals on wheels and soup kitchens. Whatever we donate, this trustworthy organization knows how to multiply the effectiveness to bless the hidden hungry in our country and those starved for more than food.

Good thing I’m in California among the kale and hearty folk.  No sign of a doughnut for miles around.

Back home, I’d be tempted to head to campus and swallow more than my pride.

 

 

 

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5 Comments

  • Reply Carrie Van Brunt June 3, 2016 at 7:41 pm

    Thanks for sharing the origins of this day. You just never know where The Salvation Army will pop up in the history books! 🙂 http://www.womenyoushouldknow.net/today-is-national-doughnut-day-meet-the-women-integral-to-its-history/

  • Reply Gail MacDonald June 3, 2016 at 8:00 pm

    Jan, thank you for your words about National Donut Day and that the Salvation Army brought donuts to the soldiers during WWI! As you know, during the first week following 9-11, Gordon and I were at Ground Zero working alongside the Salvation Army. Their efforts of feeding thousands every day didn’t end with the first few weeks, but countless weeks later, they were still feeding those who worked to clean up the carnage. Not caring about who gets the credit, they simply continue to do their work, which often goes unnoticed. Heaven knows…thank you for this story that doesn’t surprise us at all!

  • Reply Dale Lefever June 3, 2016 at 11:09 pm

    If it were not for grands, how would our grandchildren ever know about doughnuts or this fabulous holiday? Yeah for Grands!

    Blessings, Dale

  • Reply Joyce Dixon June 5, 2016 at 8:21 pm

    Each time we are in America I have the right to eat two Duncan Donuts. Raised glazed are my favorites.

    One time, just outside of Wheaton, it was my day for donuts. Sitting at the counter was a little boy about 10 years old with six donuts in front of him. I said, “Wow! A man after my own heart!” He replied, “I’ve already eaten six, and I’m beginning to feel a little sick.”

    I’m glad David limits me to two.

    Love,
    Joyce

  • Reply Joyce Dixon June 5, 2016 at 8:30 pm

    Each time we are in America I have the right to eat two Duncan Donuts. Raised glazed are my favorites. One day, just outside Wheaton, it was My Donut Day. There was a little boy about 10 years old sitting at the counter with 6 donuts in front of him. I said, “Wow! A man after my own heart!” He replied with great expression, “I’ve already eaten six, and I’m beginning to feel a little sick.”

    I’m glad David limits me to two.

    Love, Joyce

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