Community Corner

Happy National Doughnut Day!

Today is National Doughnut Day is more than celebrating the tasty confection, its beginnings go back to World War I and it's become a fundraiser for the Salvation Army.

Today is National Doughnut Day, and as you celebrate with chocolate glaze, jelly sticks, Boston creme, powdered, plain, or whatever your favorite concoction may be, here's a little information about the celebration of the fried wonder.

According to the ever-informative Wikipedia:

Soon after the US entrance into World War I in 1917, The Salvation Army sent a fact-finding mission to France. The mission concluded that the needs of US enlisted men could be met by canteens/social centers termed "huts" that could serve baked goods, provide writing supplies and stamps, and provide a clothes-mending service. Typically, six staff members per hut would include four female volunteers who could "mother" the boys. These huts were established by The Salvation Army in the United States near army training centers.

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About 250 The Salvation Army volunteers went to France. Because of the difficulties of providing freshly baked goods from huts established in abandoned buildings near to the front lines, two The Salvation Army volunteers (Ensign Margaret Sheldon and Adjutant Helen Purviance) came up with the idea of providing doughnuts. These are reported to have been an "instant hit", and "soon many soldiers were visiting The Salvation Army huts". Margaret Sheldon wrote of one busy day "Today I made 22 pies, 300 doughnuts, 700 cups of coffee."

A legend has spread that the provision of doughnuts to US enlisted men in World War I is the origin of the term doughboy to describe US infantry, but the term was in use as early as the Mexican-American War of 1846-47.

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National Doughnut Day started in 1938 as a fund raiser for Chicago's Salvation Army. Their goal was to help the needy during the Great Depression, and to honor The Salvation Army "Lassies" of World War I, who served doughnuts to soldiers.

According to the Salvation Army's website, National Doughnut Day is still a fundraiser across the country:

The day began as a way to raise funds and bring awareness to the Army’s social service programs during the Great Depression.

If you’d like to help support The Salvation Army on National Doughnut Day, please text the word “DONUT” to 80888 to make a $10 donation.

Of course, local doughnut and coffee giant Dunkin' Donuts is celebrating by offering free doughnuts at its stores. Dunkin' will give you a doughnut with the purchase of a beverage while supplies last.

Or, of course, you can celebrate by making your own doughnuts, just like Nana used to make.

Here's a basic, and totally awesome, doughnut recipe from Cooks.com. Remember, it's only once a year and calories don't count when celebrating national holidays.

3 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
2 tbsp. soft shortening
2 eggs
3/4 c. milk

Heat oil (2 to 4 inches) on high. Measure 1 1/2 cups flour and all remaining ingredients in large mixer bowl. Blend on low speed, scraping bowl constantly, stirring in remaining flour. Put dough on well floured surface. Roll around lightly to coat with flour. Roll dough 3/8 inch thick. Cut with floured doughnut cutter.

With wide spatula, slide doughnuts into hot oil, turning them when they rise to the surface. Cook 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown on both sides. Remove carefully from oil; do not prick surface. Drain. Serve plain, sugared, or frosted. Makes 2 dozen doughnuts.

If using self-rising flour, omit baking powder and salt.


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