Salvation Army donut eating competition on Thursday, providing donuts to veterans on Friday

QUINCY — To celebrate National Donut Day on Friday, June 2, The Salvation Army Quincy Area Command will host its third annual donut hole eating competition at The Kroc Center at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 1, between members of The Salvation Army and Kroc Center staff.

The funds raised from this event will benefit The Salvation Army’s food pantry. The Salvation Army will provide donuts to veterans at the Illinois Veterans Home at 10 a.m. Friday in Smith Hall. The Illinois VFW Auxiliary sponsors the donuts.

In a press release, development director Matt Schmidt said, “We’re excited to return to an in-person event at the Veterans Home. For the last three years, we have broadcast our Donut Day presentation to the residents while the facility’s staff served the donuts. We look forward to once again being able to socialize with the veterans and thank them, in person, for their service to our county.”

National Donut Day was started by The Salvation Army on the first Friday in June 1938 to honor the Salvation Army Donut Lassies who served donuts to soldiers in the trenches during World War I. The Salvation Army continued to provide comfort, care, and donuts to American soldiers during World War II and beyond.

The Salvation Army offers a variety of options to donate:

• Venmo – @SALVATIONARMYQCYHAN;
• Paypal – @TSAQCYHAN;
• text – “DONATEQUINCY”24365;
• and at salvationarymquincy.org.