Free Donuts in Brick, Elsewhere Friday

The first Friday of June just happens to be National Donut Day, and that means local Dunkin Donut stores are giving away a free treat with purchase of a beverage.

How did a hunk of fried dough with a hole in the middle get its own day?

National Donut Day has its roots in the trenches of World War I, when war-weary soldiers would take a break by stopping by a "hut" — a makeshift coffee shop — where "lassies" doled out coffee and donuts. In 1938, the Salvation Army in Chicago wanted to recognize those women's efforts and started National Donut Day, which falls on the first Friday in June each year.

Nowadays, National Donut Day efforts in some cities include fundraisers associated with the Salvation Army. Others simply recognize the doughy confection by handing out free donuts. 

"Perhaps more than any other treat, donuts bring smiles to people’s faces and make any moment in a busy day much sweeter," said John Costello, president of global marketing and innovation at Dunkin’ Donuts.   

Dunkin’ Donuts is offering customers a free donut with a purchase of any beverage. There are several locations in the Brick area, including:

• 14 Beaverson Boulevard, Brick
• 602 Mantoloking Road, Brick
• 2138 Route 88, Brick
• 1500 Ocean Avenue (Rt. 88), Lakewood
• 3201 Bridge Ave, Point Boro
• 216 Route 35, Point Beach
• 604 Grand Central Avenue, Lavallette