WEIRTON - While there are no bells and kettles ringing near stores this summer, the Salvation Army continues its efforts to assist local families in need with sweet treats in June.
Riesbeck's Food Market Inc. has partnered with the Salvation Army- the organization responsible for bringing the doughnut to America - and will sell assorted cake doughnuts every Friday in the month of June with 10 percent of the proceeds to benefit the Salvation Army units located near Riesbeck's stores.
Captain Ed Long said the partnership formed in honor of National "Doughnut" Day.
The Salvation Army first celebrated it in 1938 in the city of Chicago as a way to honor Salvation Army "doughnut lassies" from World War I. The special day also served as a way to raise funds and bring awareness to the Army's social service programs during the Great Depression.
As young soldiers faced physical and emotional peril amidst the fighting, female Salvation Army officers had the idea to comfort them with good home cooking, using their limited ingredients to create doughnuts for the boys.
The women, earning the nickname "Doughnut Lassies" and "Doughnut Girls," served countless treats to grateful soldiers, traversing through the trenches to bring the men doughnuts and coffee. More than just filling an empty stomach, these doughnuts and the joyful presence of the women who worked so hard to make them provided the soldiers with the boost their spirits needed during an extraordinarily difficult time.
Fact Box
Purchases of cake doughnuts each Friday in June from the Follansbee Riesbeck's store will benefit the Salvation Army operations in Weirton and Wellsburg. For more information, contact the Salvation Army at 304-748-4310.
The doughnuts became an instant hit that was brought back to America by returning "doughboys."
"It's a nice way for local businesses to treat their staff members to a sweet treat and support the Salvation Army at the same time," added Long.
The Weirton Salvation Army is getting involved with the program to help Hancock and Brooke counties and will be doing presales on boxes of doughnuts with the help of the Advisory Board. Long said the money going to the Weirton and Wellsburg locations will come from the sale of doughnuts at the Follansbee Riesbeck's.
Cathy Ferrari, Salvation Army Advisory Board chair, said the partnership was a worthy endeavor and the board would do what it could to buy, sell and encourage the area to support this partnership.
For information about orders for delivery to your home or office contact the Salvation Army at 304-748-4310.
(Dickson can be contacted at adickson@weirtondailytimes.com)
