The Salvation Army partners with Lloyd Center to celebrate National Donut Day

Portland, OR (June 6, 2019) – For The Salvation Army, National Donut Day is about more than just tasty pastries. 

In 1938, The Salvation Army celebrated the first National Donut Day to not only raise money to support families struggling during the Great Depression, but also to commemorate the work of the women who served donuts to soldiers during World War I. Army Adjutant Helen Purviance and Ensign Margaret Sheldon were among the first volunteers who began frying donuts and serving them to U.S. soldiers during World War I. These women would become known as the first “Donut Lassies,” serving donuts to soldiers on the front lines and boosting morale. 

“Donuts are a special symbol of the work that we do at The Salvation Army,” said Alexa Morris, Director of Communications and Marketing at The Salvation Army. “They symbolize comfort and support for those during times of need. We are proud to continue the work of the Donut Lassies and remind Oregon of this day’s significance.” 

National Donut Day is held the first Friday in June. Courtesy of Franz and Bakemark, The Salvation Army will be handing out free donuts at Lloyd Center at Stanford’s outdoor plaza from 3:00-4:30pm on June 7. 

“For hundreds of years The Salvation Army has been dedicated to tackling some of society’s most complex challenges,” said Ann Grimmer, marketing director at Lloyd Center. “Through programs that work to empower youth and families, end domestic abuse, address food insecurity and many more, The Salvation Army has served as a symbol of hope for many across the globe. To be able to partner with The Salvation Army and share a small piece of their story on National Donut Day is a privilege.”

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About Lloyd Center The iconic Lloyd Center – once America’s largest mall and a model for retail centers across the country – is a 1.2 million square-foot mixed-use lifestyle, shopping and entertainment center centrally located in the Portland Metro area. Recently acquired by one of the premier retail management firms in the nation, the mall is undergoing renovations that reflect the diverse community, which is being reimagined to accommodate people from all walks of life and includes new housing options, expanded pedestrian and green spaces, restaurants and office/retail space. Lloyd Center is anchored by Macy’s and accompanied by a strong mix of national retailers including, H&M, Ulta, Victoria’s Secret and Loft. Traditional shopping hours are 10am – 9pm Monday through Saturday and 11am – 6pm Sunday. Lloyd Center is owned by an affiliate of CAPREF Manager, LLC, which manages a private equity fund in excess of $1.2 billion and encompasses a portfolio of 5.8M square feet of retail and mixed-use properties across the United States. Visit www.lloydcenter.com for more information.