Bloglander

Feel free to indulge in the sweet taste of a doughnut today — after all, it is National Doughnut Day and that alone should dispel any guilt you feel about eating the sugary treat.

It may seem like every few weeks or so there is a day promoting some type of food like National Pie Day or National Cookie Day, however, National Doughnut Day is more legitimate than most. 

According to TIME.com, National Doughnut Day originated in 1938 when women volunteering for the Salvation Army delivered World War I soldiers doughnuts in order to boost morale. National Doughnut Day became a way to raise funds and awareness of the Salvation Army. TIME.com also says the Red Cross women picked up the doughnut tradition during World War II. The women, referred to as dough girls or dough lassies, became favorites of soldiers overseas.

Basically, an excuse you can use to grab a doughnut today could be that you’re supporting a long-standing American tradition of supporting our troops.

Luckily, there are many spots in Spokane to pick up that maple bar or jelly-filled delight.

You’ll have to hurry. Many doughnut shops, like Donut Parade, aren’t open all day. Donut Parade closed at 1 pm, and Mike’s Old Fashioned Donuts in the Valley closed at noon. And even though Mike’s Old Fashioned Donuts didn't give away free donuts, Mike Britton says they were very busy.

“We’re totally wiped out,” Britton said in the midst of the morning mayhem. “We can’t make them fast enough to sell them!” Britton said the rush began at 6 am, and said this is one of the busiest National Doughnut Days he’s ever had.

Casual Friday Doughnuts on Division is another location to buy the sweet treat, and thankfully, they’re open until 6 pm. 

For even more shops check out this Inlander article that mentions some great doughnut shops around town, and even breaks them down for you by type of doughnut.