The Sweet Story Behind the Doughnut Dollies
Join Us in Making a Difference with Every Doughnut!
Picture this: it’s 1917, a homesick soldier in France received a freshly fried doughnut from a cheerful Salvation Army lassie. This small gesture became a lasting symbol of love and comfort for the armed forces.
Original source: ‘Doughnut Dollies’.
This November, we are excited to introduce a special doughnut inspired by the remarkable legacy of the Salvation Army’s “Doughnut Dollies”—a group of dedicated volunteers who brought comfort and cheer to soldiers during the First World War. To honour these extraordinary women and their acts of kindness, we have released The Dollie Doughnut, a cinnamon ring doughnut dusted with cardamom sugar, from 5th to 17th November. The Swindon-based bakery will also be making a £500 donation to the Salvation Army’s Gloucester House.
The Sweet Story Behind the Doughnut Dollies
The story of the Doughnut Dollies is one of resilience, compassion, and ingenuity. Few may have heard of these volunteers, who served under the direction of Evangeline Booth, leader of the Salvation Army in the United States. In 1917, Booth proposed to General Pershing that Salvation Army volunteers be deployed to the front lines in France to offer support and comfort to soldiers far from home. Lacking formal kitchen tools, these dedicated women famously repurposed wine bottles as rolling pins and whipped up fried doughnuts, bringing soldiers a taste of home amid the hardships of war.
“We were so inspired when we heard the story of the Doughnut Dollies that we immediately wanted to create a new doughnut as a tribute,” said Betina Evangelista of Pipp & Co. “The Salvation Army continues to do incredible work, and we’re honoured to support our local branch.”
The Dollie Doughnut’s flavour is intentionally simple, designed to evoke the authenticity and resourcefulness that defined the original Doughnut Dollies’ creations during wartime. Alongside this special release, Pipp & Co hopes to raise awareness for Gloucester House, a Salvation Army-run centre near Swindon, which provides essential support for those working to overcome substance abuse.
To learn more about Gloucester House and its life-changing work, visit The Salvation Army’s website.
Continuing the Legacy
Today, the tradition of the doughnut dollies lives on through Salvation Army services and in times of peacetime emergencies. These beloved doughnuts symbolise the organisation’s readiness to help in times of need.
Enjoy a doughnut and remember the legacy of love and comfort that began over a century ago.
Thank you for being a part of our community and helping us make a difference!