The Salvation Army in Central Ohio

For 140 years, The Salvation Army has been serving Central Ohio.

Since 1885, our mission has remained the same: to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. While our community has changed dramatically over the decades, the need for hope, compassion, and practical support remains.

Today, that mission continues through food assistance, housing support, youth programs, anti-human trafficking services, spiritual care, and so much more.

As we celebrate 140 years of service, we invite you to explore our 2025–26 Annual Report and see the impact we made together across Central Ohio.

📖 Read the report: tiny.cc/annualreport25

🍩The Donut Day fun continued with a very special stop alongside Honor Flight Columbus, Inc.!

We were privileged to spend time with veterans before Honor Flight Mission 153 departed for Washington, D.C., where veterans traveled to visit the memorials built in honor of their service and sacrifice.

Before takeoff, we had the opportunity to share donuts, smiles, and our gratitude with these remarkable men and women. It was a meaningful way to celebrate a day rooted in service while honoring those who have served our country.

Thank you to Honor Flight Columbus for allowing us to be part of such a special morning. Safe travels to all the veterans on Mission 153. We hope your day was filled with reflection, camaraderie, and well-deserved recognition.

🍩 Happy National Donut Day! 🍩

We're celebrating this sweet tradition with our friends at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum and honoring the legacy of The Salvation Army's Donut Lassies.

Stop by, grab a donut, say hello, and learn about the remarkable women behind this beloved tradition. Their story is a powerful reminder of how small acts of kindness can make a big difference.

We're especially proud to honor our veterans and thank them for their service.

We'll be here this morning until the donuts are gone, so come visit us while supplies last!

📍 National Veterans Memorial and Museum
300 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215

We can't wait to see you! ❤️🍩

🍩 Some traditions are just too sweet to miss!

This National Donut Day, we're teaming up with the National Veterans Memorial and Museum to honor the legacy of The Salvation Army's Donut Lassies—the courageous women who served fresh donuts, encouragement, and hope to soldiers during World War I.

Because sometimes a donut is more than a tasty treat. It's a reminder that small acts of kindness can make a big difference.

Join us Friday, June 5 beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum as we share donuts, celebrate veterans, and sprinkle a little extra joy throughout our community. 🍩❤️

Donuts will be available while supplies last!

📍 National Veterans Memorial and Museum
300 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215

You DONUT want to miss this! 🍩

Every year on the first Friday of June, America celebrates National Donut Day with free treats and donut deals, but behind the glaze and sprinkles is a powerful history of remarkable women who showed up with compassion when it mattered most. This June 5, The Salvation Army in Central Ohio invites its neighbors to fill our community with joy by honoring the heart and resilience of the tradition.

National Donut Day was established in 1938 to honor the women who volunteered with The Salvation Army to provide spiritual and emotional care, critical supplies, and freshly fried donuts to American soldiers on the front lines of World War I. These women became known as “Donut
Lassies,” and today, their legacy is a reminder that small acts of kindness can carry enormous joy.

Nearly nine decades later, The Salvation Army continues to provide essential services and programs to vulnerable communities in nearly every ZIP code. In 2025, The Salvation Army in Central Ohio helped 59,555 people with basic needs and emergency assistance (food, utility, rent & clothing) and provided 472,403 meals.

“National Donut Day is a beautiful reminder of what has always defined our mission, showing up for people in their most difficult moments with compassion and care,” shared Major Jodi Lloyd, Area Commander at The Salvation Army in Central Ohio. “From the battlefields of World War I to the neighborhoods across Central Ohio today, that dedication to serving our community with joy and purpose has never wavered.”

To celebrate one of the sweetest days of the year, The Salvation Army in Central Ohio will be handing out donuts to neighbors and honoring veterans on Friday, June 5 beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, located at 300 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215. Donuts will be available while supplies last.

The 2026 Sporting Clay Event was a success thanks to the incredible support of our sponsors, volunteers, and participants!

More than 280 participants took aim to end hunger and helped raise over $120,000 to support The Salvation Army in Central Ohio’s hunger relief programs—including food pantries, emergency food boxes, and hot meal programs serving neighbors across central Ohio.

A special thank you to event coordinator, Joyce Waters, our dedicated volunteers, and all who joined us on the range, donated to the live auction, and made the day possible.

We’re also grateful for the generous support of our corporate sponsors, including MedVet, Trucco Construction, Atlas Butler, Haughn Insurance, Everhart Advisors, Stanley Steemer, and our Bear, Elk, and Wild Boar sponsors.

Thank you for helping make this event such a meaningful success. If you missed it this year, we hope you’ll join us next year for one of our most exciting events in support of ending hunger across central Ohio.

Today, we honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice is a powerful reminder of courage, selflessness, and love for others.

At The Salvation Army in Central Ohio, we are grateful for those who served and continue to walk alongside veterans and military families across our community with support, care, and hope.

This Memorial Day, we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and carry their legacy of service forward. ❤️