MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Salvation Army in Hutchinson is preparing for another round of donuts, competition and fundraising as National Donut Day celebrations return to downtown Hutchinson during Third Thursday this week.
Major Paul James said the annual Donut Day event will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday at Grasshopper Park near Avenue A and Main Street. The event will feature free donuts from Daylight Donuts, a donut eating competition and fundraising activities benefiting Salvation Army summer camp programs.
James said the Salvation Army’s connection to Donut Day dates back to World War I, when Salvation Army volunteers known as “Donut Lassies” served donuts and coffee to soldiers on the front lines.
“They realized they had the ingredients and the means of frying up donuts, and so they fried up donuts and handed out coffee to the men on the front line during World War One,” James said.
The annual donut eating contest has become one of the featured attractions of the event. James said 16 contestants are signed up this year, including two former champions and several local firefighters. Past winners have managed to eat 15 donuts in five minutes.
In addition to the eating contest trophy, awards will also be presented for “People’s Choice” fundraising and for the contestant who raises the most money during the event. Donations can be made at collection kettles placed in front of each participant.
James said all money raised this year will help send children to Salvation Army overnight camps in Kansas City. The camps include sports camp, music camp, teen camp and children’s camp opportunities.
He said the fundraiser allows local families to send children to camp for just $20, while the actual cost of attendance can range from $300 to $500 per camper.
“We just want to make sure that it’s affordable camp for parents to be able to send their kids to,” James said.
Families interested in camp opportunities can contact the Salvation Army office at 620-663-3353 or visit the Three Trails Camp website for registration information.
In case of inclement weather, the contest will be held at the Salvation Army gymnasium at 700 north Walnut.