National Doughnut Day Is on Friday. Here’s How Local Shops Are Celebrating

Friday is National Doughnut Day — or National Donut Day, if you prefer — and local fans of the confection are in for a sweet treat.

A bit surprisingly, the unofficial holiday did not originate with an enterprising doughnut-seller looking for a creative way to drive business. Rather it was the Salvation Army that declared the first National Doughnut Day in 1938 to raise money to help those still suffering from the Great Depression.

Why doughnuts, though? They were chosen to honor the organization’s ‘Doughnut Lassies,’ the women volunteers who brought doughnuts (and other items) to soldiers on the front lines in World War I.

Salvation Army annually holds a variety of events nationwide in conjunction with the holiday, which takes place the first Friday in June.

In Centre County, the growth in the number of doughnut shops in recent years means you’ll have a few options for freebies to mark the occasion.

• Dam Donuts, 216 W. High St., Bellefonte

Free doughnut with the purchase of any hot beverage.

• Duck Donuts, 125 S. Fraser St., State College

One free bare, cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar doughnut, no purchase necessary. Customers also will receive a coupon to buy one doughnut, get one free, redeemable through June 17.

• Dunkin Donuts 

One free classic doughnut with any beverage purchase. Dunkin’ Donuts has five locations in the State College area — 200 W. College Ave., 1381 E. College Ave., 3180 W. College Ave., 1311 S. Atherton St., and 1430 N. Atherton St. 

• Happy Buns, 426 E. College Ave.

The ice cream donut shop will offer two for $10 ($1 off each).

• Peace, Love and Little Donuts, 421 E. Calder Way, State College

Free coffee all day.