Salvation Army Celebrates With Free Donuts

In celebration of Salvation Army National Donut Day, Friday, June 3, its thrift stores in Hilo and Kona will offer a free donut to each customer from 9 a.m. to noon, while supplies last.

The shops will also offer a day-long special—25% off all thrift store items (except furniture).

The Salvation Army Ohana Thrift Store is located at 74-5555 Kaiwi St.in Kailua-Kona.

The Salvation Army Family Thrift Store is located at 194 Kamehameha Av. in Hilo.

The Salvation Army started National Donut Day 78 years ago as a way to raise funds and bring awareness to their social service programs.

Donut Day is held the first Friday of June each year and commemorates “Donut Lassies,” female volunteers for The Salvation Army in World War I, who provided writing supplies, stamps, clothes-mending and home-cooked meals (including donuts) to soldiers on the front lines.

The Donut Lassies would fry donuts in the soldiers’ helmets on the front lines… just seven donuts at a time.