A little sweet dough never hurt anyone. In fact, to the 1917 “Doughboys” sweet dough originally called “oily cakes” brought a sense of hope to Americans on the front lines. The first American infantrymen sent overseas coined the nickname “Doughboys” during WWI. These American soldiers were armed and trained to approach front-line battles on foot. In 1917, the Salvation Army sent their own group of Americans to Europe. The volunteers would go on to earn their very own nicknames and are still celebrated to this day. 

The Salvation Army Lassies were a group of women who took to the seas to serve the Doughboys of the front lines with warm sugary inspirational treats. The men used metal helmets in those days, and the Lassies were known to cook up fresh batches of oily cakes right inside them and pass them out to the front-line soldiers. 

We honor our troops all day every day, often forgetting the lesser-known heroes of past wars.

These women risked their own lives, often leaving family and responsibilities behind to serve our country, from helmet bakeries to the mouths of the soldiers fighting for our freedom. These Lassies bore the weather changes, and the sounds of war, and marched on to cook up warm meals to remind the men of home. 

Twenty-one years after the Lassies sweet treat phenomenon in 1938 and every year since on the first Friday of June we contemplate the women who distributed doughnuts to soldiers in World War I. A day that started as a fundraiser to offer aid to those suffering from the Great Depression is now a day nationally remembered. 

If you’ve ever fancied an excuse to stop at the doughnut shop before work, now you have it with a little history to boot. June 2nd is a day participating pastry and coffee shops will offer specials to their customers. Krispy Kreme takes it a bit further, offering any one doughnut free. Try some for yourself or celebrate by picking up a box or two and taking them to your local first responders, community employees, or a charity. Now it’s time to get out there and support your local bakeries while enjoying your freedom-named treat, Happy National Doughnut Day. 

Local Doughnut Shops celebrating National Doughnut Day...

Krispy Kreme

3031 S McKenzie St.

Foley, AL 36535

Lickin Good Donuts

201 E Michigan Ave

Foley, AL 36535

Lickin Good Donuts

229 E 20th Ave #14

Gulf Shores, AL 36542