The Salvation Army gave away doughnuts Friday in observation of Salvation Army Week to express appreciation to the community for supporting the organization's mission to "meet needs, heal hurts and change lives," said Captain PB Stetzer.
Volunteers made doughnuts at the Salvation Army Friday morning and placed them in sandwich bags. A leaflet attached to each explained the "Donut Girl" tradition that originated in France during World War I. To provide a touch of home for homesick soldiers, Salvation Army volunteers gathered supplies - flour, sugar, lard, baking powder, cinnamon and canned milk - to mix batches of doughnut batter.
"The first day they served 150. The next day, they doubled it. Eventually, they would fry 2,500-9,000 a day," according to the story.
Stetzer said Walmart was an appropriate location for the giveaway because the store conducted a food drive two weekends ago, collecting nearly 1,000 pounds of food for the Salvation Army pantry.
Today, letter carriers are collecting food items in the area.
The Salvation Army is at 505 E. Market St. For more information, visit www.tiffinsa.com or call (419) 447-2252.
