National Donut Day is today…here’s where to get free donuts

Today (June 5) is National Donut Day, begun during the Great Depression by the Salvation Army as a means to raise funds and bring awareness to the organization’s social service programs.

It also 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, initially during World War I.

As in previous years, participating Krispy Kreme shops are giving away a free donut of any variety just for the asking.

Dunkin’ Donuts is also repeating its giveaway of a free donut (excluding Croissant Donuts and Cheesecake Squares) with the purchase of any beverage.

That’s the good news. The bad news is that those chains’ outlets are few and far between here in the Inland Empire.

The sole Krispy Kreme is at 4485 Mills Circle, Ontario, while the two Dunkin’ Donuts are at opposite ends of the county: In the Barstow Station, 1611 E. Main St., and in Upland at 355 S. Mountain Ave.

Entenmann’s is raising funds for the Salvation Army by donating $1 (up to $30,000) for each entry into its National Donut Day sweepstakes. Click here to enter (you can submit one entry daily).

You can always make a “dough”-nation directly to the Salvation Army by clicking here.

For more information on the history of National Donut Day, click here.