Celebrated on the first Friday of every June, National Donut Day's origins date back to the First World War. The holiday is dedicated to the Salvation Army Lassies, a group of women who served donuts to the soldiers during WWI. The tradition started in 1917 when women went to France to establish field bases near the front lines. Soldiers would come to the group’s makeshift huts to stock up on essential goods and sweet treats baked by the Lassies. The presence of these courageous women, along with the sweet treats they provided, brought a sense of light, hope, and happiness to the soldiers. So, this National Donut Day, grab a donut and give thanks to those who brought some happiness, comfort, and light in a world of hurt, loss, and grief. Down below are places where you can grab that delicious celebratory donut this Friday!

Wood Bakery - O’Fallon IL  

Local to Downtown O’Fallon, where owners Jim and Barbara Schmitt have run Wood Bakery since 2000. They provide customers with superior products at an affordable price and use only the finest ingredients. Their offers include original glazed, angel cream, white iced and sprinkle cake donuts, caramel iced long johns, and much more. For specialty items, dietary restrictions, and additional information, consult their website.

East Town Donuts – Caseyville, IL

East Down Donuts in Caseyville is one of the best places to find cake, glazed, old-fashioned, twisted, twisted-filled donuts, donut holes, and cinnamon rolls. Better yet, they’re all made fresh daily! East Town Donuts also has specialty donut toppings like s’mores, cookies and cream, snickers, sticky buns, and even a snowball donut, with more to discover as the specialty menu is ever-changing. Customers can’t get enough of East Town Donuts, so we recommend you check them out. What better time to find your new favorite donut place? For more information, visit their website.

Berkemann’s Baker Dozen – New Baden, IL

With twenty years in business, Berkmann’s Baker Dozen Donuts bakes passion into everything they make.  Using the finest ingredients available, they create the most delicious donuts and pastries that will fill your belly and bring a smile to your face. Their original donut flavors include classic glazed, sugared, and chocolate glazed options. Berkmann’s also serves cake donuts, with flavor choices like blueberry, red velvet, iced, and plain. While at Berkmann's you can also get fresh bread, pastries, cookies, cakes, and pies for any occasion or celebration.

The Hole Dozen – Salem, IL

Based out of Salem, The Hole Dozen operates both a brick-and-mortar store and a food truck specializing in donuts, coffee, and specialty items like cinnamon sugar pie fries with apple cinnamon dipping sauce. They also offer other pastries, such as cookies, cupcakes, and other fun treats. For the savory crowd, they also offer popular hot dishes like biscuits and gravy.

Curbside Cravings Mini Donuts – Robinson, IL

Located in Crawford County, this mobile food trailer serves warm, fresh cinnamon/sugared mini donuts that are a real crowd-pleaser! They also occasionally offer specialty items with their donuts, such as the wildly popular maple bacon boat, which features their cinnamon/sugar mini donuts topped with maple syrup and warm bacon shreds. Whether you want something to share or a box all to yourself, this is the premier donut spot in the area. For information on where they’ll be located, consult their Facebook page.