The first National Donut Day was celebrated by The Salvation Army in Chicago in 1938 to help raise needed funds during the Great Depression and commemorate the work of the “donut lassies” who helped make the donut what it is today by feeding the tasty confection to American soldiers during World War I. The donuts became synonymous with The Salvation Army, as well as the American soldiers who were returning home with the nickname, "doughboys."

This significant occasion established the donut as a long-standing symbol of the services The Salvation Army continues to provide. The partnership between Entenmann’s and The Salvation Army reinforces Entenmann’s as a brand synonymous with National Donut Day.

In its continued support of The Salvation Army, from May 1st to June 15h Entenmann’s Bakery will donate $1 to the organization for every person who "likes" the Entenmann’s Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/entenmanns ), up to $30K.

“We’re proud to continue our partnership with The Salvation Army for the third straight year,” said Maureen Sticco, Director of Entenmann’s Marketing Services. “The holiday would not exist if it was not for The Salvation Army and Entenmann’s is excited to be a donut manufacturer associated with the holiday and the organization.”

Starting on April 22nd, in celebration of this historical day, Entenmann’s will be rewarding lucky winners with ‘Free Donuts for a Year’ and additional prizes through a sweepstakes link on the Entenmann’s Facebook page. All entries must be received by 11:59: p.m. ET on June 30, 2013. Winners will be randomly selected from all submissions. Official Rules can be found at www.entenmanns.com.

"We want to thank Entenmann’s for partnering again with us this year to celebrate National Donut Day and help us serve those in need,” said Major Ron Busroe, National Community Relations and Development Secretary for The Salvation Army. “Every year on National Donut Day, The Salvation Army asks the public to remember those less fortunate who struggle to make ends meet. So, for everyone who enjoys a tasty donut today, please take a minute to consider ways to give back in your community."

Entenmann’s and The Salvation Army will also partner with special events in local markets. Specific to The Salvation Army’s Southern New England Division of Conncticut and Rhode Island, The Salvation Army in New Haven, Bridgeport, and Providence will all be offering free donuts donated by Entenmann’s at various locations in their cities.

Today, The Salvation Army continues to provide meals, including donuts, and numerous other services to benefactors across the country, including veterans who visit Salvation Army programs daily.

National Donut Day Fun Facts

Salvation Army:

• The Salvation Army started National Donut Day during the Great Depression as a way to raise funds and bring awareness to The Salvation Army’s social service programs.
• National Donut Day commemorates the "donut lassies," female Salvation Army volunteers who provided writing supplies, stamps, clothes-mending and home-cooked meals, and of course, donuts, for soldiers on the front lines.
• Approximately 250 Salvation Army volunteers provided assistance to American soldiers in France starting in 1917 during WWI.
• With limited resources, these treats were fried, only seven at a time. The Salvation Army’s Ensign Margaret Sheldon and Adjutant Helen Purviance cleverly thought of frying donuts in soldiers’ helmets.
• Last year, 30 million Americans received assistance from The Salvation Army's 3,600 officers, 64,000 employees and 3.4 million volunteers.

Entenmann’s Bakery:

• Entenmann’s has made more than 5 billion donuts – if you laid them end-to-end, you could wrap them around the earth almost 10 times!
• The Rich Frosted Donut has been the #1 seller since its introduction in 1973. 2013 marks the 40-Year Anniversary – that’s a sweet celebration.
• Entenmann’s Donut Facility in Carlisle, Pennsylvania is the largest Donut Plant in the United States, producing more than 40 million boxes of yummy delight each year.
• Believing that people were more inclined to buy what they can see, the Entenmann’s brothers, William, Robert and Charles, and mother, Martha, invented the familiar "see-through" cake box for baked goods in 1959.
• In the early ’50s, Frank Sinatra used to call the Bay Shore bakery to place weekly orders from Entenmann’s.