Today is National Donut Day. Yes, it's a real thing, dating back to the "Great Depression."WBFO's Cheryl Hagen has the story...
Many donut shops across Western New York are offering deals today in honor of National Donut Day. While it may seem like another marketing ploy, National Donut Day actually has roots dating back nearly 80 years.
"In order to raise needed funds during the Great Depression, the Salvation Army began honoring 250 World War One volunteers and lassies on the first National Donut Day in 1938," notes Chris Raymer, speaking on behalf of the Salvation Army in a Youtube video posted this week. Raymer notes two women were among those honored for coming up "with the idea of frying donuts in soldier's helmets near the front lines as a quick treat. The donuts became an instant hit that was brought back to America by returning doughboys."
Donuts have since come a long way, with some local shops now baking around the clock and offering more than 40 different varieties.
"We sell a lot of donuts... it's crazy because they're all hand cut, hand finished. The favorite ones are probably like Peanut Sticks, Frosted Bavarian, Frosted Angel, " says Kristy Worthington, a manager at Paula's Donuts in Tonawanda.
"The bakers start at ten o'clock at night," says Worthington. "We bake for basically 24 hours. We have three shifts of baking. So there's constantly people here making donuts and then you also have the people that finish the donuts, fill them, frost them."
Donut Kraze on Dingens Avenue in Buffalo is another local favorite. "We sell hundreds of donuts a day. I couldn't even give you a number off the top of my head," says Ashley Conley who helps make the donuts and workers the counter. A lot of people like the chocolate frosted, the peanut sticks, the peanut butter and jelly are a favorite one."
Another Donut Kraze favorite, bacon donuts. Conley says, "They have white filling, maple frosting and bacon on top of that... We sell a lot."
Donut Kraze is offering a free donut to anyone that stops by today. Paula's Donuts is giving away three free donuts with every dozen purchased. Meanwhile, the Salvation Army has teamed up with national bake goods distributor, Entenmann's in a fundraising effort. Entenmann's will donut $1 to the Salvation Army for each entry into their Sweepstakes. You could win free donuts for a year.