National Doughnut Day 2019 In Sarasota, Bradenton And Lakeland

BRADENTON, FL — If you looked at mankind's historic first pictures of a black hole earlier this year and immediately thought "glazed doughnut," Friday is going to be a stellar day. National Doughnut Day is once again upon us and there will be plenty of fried goodness orbiting our universe.

Shops, chains and even some restaurants in the Sarasota, Bradenton and Lakeland areas will be offering delicious deals all day long.

National Doughnut Day dates back to 1938, when The Salvation Army of Chicago created it to honor the "Doughnut Girls" who served doughnuts to soldiers in World War I. The unofficial holiday is celebrated every year on the first Friday in June.

Though the honorary salute to the "Doughnut Girls" wouldn't begin until years later, two Salvation Army volunteers — Ensign Margaret Sheldon and Adjutant Helen Purviance — came up with the idea of frying doughnuts in soldiers' helmets after they and about 250 others were deployed to France to provide spiritual and emotional support for U.S. soldiers.

Here are some of the offers we found around the area:

Shipley Do-Nuts

Customers who make any purchase between 5 a.m. to noon on Friday will get a free glazed doughnut in honor of National Doughnut Day.

The business is located at 6571 State Rd 70 in Bradenton.

The Farmhouse

Owner Steven Sheardown told Patch he is offering raffle tickets with every purchase all this week and will be picking multiple winners for vouchers good for 16 free doughnuts each.

One lucky winner will also take home a free dining room table since the business also sells furniture.

"We make furniture for a living so our store is like doughnuts and furniture," he said.

The Farmhouse is located at 902 Manatee Ave E in Bradenton.

Der Dutchman

The establishment is offering one free glazed doughnut with the purchase of any specialty coffee or smoothie.

The business is located at 3713 Bahia Vista Street in Sarasota.

Krispy Kreme (participating locations)

Krispy Kreme wants you to help the chain give away one million free doughnuts on Friday. Visit one of the participating shops and choose your favorite doughnut.

"That’s it! No purchase necessary, limited one free doughnut per guest," the chain said on its website. "Tell all your friends and family and bring them with you to join the celebration."

The chain said if will offer a second doughnut giveaway later in June if people "help us give away one million doughnuts on National Doughnut Day."

The chain plans to give away a taste of its "newest creation" once it is unveiled later in June, promising the new confection will be “out of this world great."

Dunkin' (participating locations)

Celebrate National Doughnut Day with Dunkin' and get a free doughnut with any beverage purchase.

The offer is good while supplies last at participating locations.

Duck Donuts

You’re invited to the sweetest beach bash of the year. Join Duck Donuts on National Doughnut Day and enjoy a free classic doughnut.

Classic flavors include bare, cinnamon sugar and powdered sugar coated donuts, flavors that originated on the beaches of the Outer Banks when the chain first opened 12 years ago.

No purchase or coupon is necessary. Redeemable in store only at participating locations on June 7, 2019. Limit one doughnut per guest, per day. Business hours vary by location.

Bite Squad

On-demand restaurant delivery app Bite Squad is making food delivery even sweeter with free delivery on National Doughnut Day. Customers can order from their favorite local restaurant (or doughnut shop, bakery etc.) and get it delivered with no delivery fees.

To take advantage of the one-day deal, users can enter the promotional code “DONUTDAY” when placing an order on the Bite Squad app, or online at www.bitesquad.com.

You may not qualify for the doughnut freebies if you use a delivery service. It's best to call ahead. A spokeswoman for Bite Squad told Patch that the company's offer applies to any food, not just doughnuts. So feel free to celebrate National Doughnut Day with a pizza.