For Kevin McDonough and Rich Silva, the owners of Purple Glaze Donuts in Asbury Park, donating $2 to the Salvation Army for each donut sold Friday — National Donut Day — made sense for an obvious reason:
It will help those who need help, something Purple Glaze prides itself on.
This type of community spirit has long matched the vibe of the Summerfield Avenue donut shop that McDonough and Silva, former customers, have maintained since taking over the shop when the original owners retired.
“Purple Glaze was connected to the Asbury Park Salvation Army through Donut Day and the Lassies,” McDonough said. “From there, I was asked to join the Board.”
“There is not enough space to describe their consistent impact in our community, so I’ll just say “Doing the most good!” Purple Glaze is an Asbury Park-centric business, and The Salvation Army under Captain Nate has expanded their impact here. We’re proud to be affiliated with this organization’s service.”
The connection to the Salvation Army and National Donut Day isn’t as readily clear. But it’s equally obvious once this factoid is known: The Salvation Army is the organization that came up with the special day — almost a century ago.
National Donut Day was established by The Salvation Army in 1938 to honor the organization’s Donut Lassies of WWI.
Who were the Donut Lassies? Glad you asked.
The Donut Lassies were Salvation Army volunteers sent to the front lines in France in 1917. They set up makeshift huts near the trenches, providing soldiers with essential supplies — and, famously, frying fresh donuts to boost morale.
Their simple act of comfort became iconic, and returning “doughboys” helped popularize the donut in America after the war.
Captain Nate Deming, Corps Officer of The Salvation Army Asbury Park Corps, said the spirit of their efforts remains alive today.
“National Donut Day is a beautiful reminder of what has always defined our mission: showing up for people in their most difficult moments with compassion and care,” he said. “From the battlefields of World War I to the neighborhoods of Asbury Park today, that commitment to serving others has never wavered.”
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 24 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships — through food assistance, disaster relief and rehabilitation programs — at nearly 7,000 centers of operation around the country, including many in New Jersey.
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