Happy National Doughnut Day!

I know that you are as surprised as I am. Today is officially National Doughnut Day!

Hey, everything in moderation, right? Is this just another Hallmark nightmare? A day conjured up by Homer Simpson?

I tell you – it is for real. Seriously. It actually serves a valuable purpose.

The story of National Doughnut Day goes all the way back to 1917. Salvation Army volunteers went to the front lines to serve home-cooked foods and to, yes, make doughnuts for the infantrymen – otherwise known as “doughboys”.

In 1938, National Doughnut Day was established by the Chicago Salvation Army. The goal was to raise money during the Great Depression, and to honor the work of World War I Salvation Army volunteers.

But how can National Doughnut Day not have me thinking about a Tim Horton’s famous doughnut? And a double-double coffee to go along with it?

For those who need a little background, the Tim Horton’s chain began in 1964 in Hamilton, Ontario. In my eyes, they make the world’s greatest doughnuts. Maybe that’s a small exaggeration, since there isn’t a World Doughnut Championships, but I know these would be gold medal caliber. Dunkin? Not even close.

But perhaps even more importantly, they make great coffee. Starbucks doesn’t hold a candle to Tim Horton’s. Ah, I miss their java.

Sadly, most in this country will never have the opportunity to experience a Tim Horton’s coffee and doughnut. Tim Horton’s has expanded into Michigan, Maine, Connecticut, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New York. But there are only a total of 600 locations in the United States, compared to over 3,000 in Canada.

In Canada, the chain is legendary to say the least. It is an integral part of Canadian culture, a veritable phenomenon that most people here simply don’t understand. Every time I have ever passed by a Tim Horton’s, they always have a line-up at the drive-thru and always seem to be packed with people inside. My little hometown of 20,000 once had something to the effect of 4 franchises – and they were all constantly busy. Apparently there is a lot of coffee being consumed north of the border.

So today, if you don’t grab a doughnut, be it a Tim Horton’s or a Dunkin, at least take a moment to honor the Salvation Army.

Photo credits: Lara604