When World War I and World War II veterans think of the Salvation Army, they may instinctively think of doughnuts! The Salvation Army made doughnuts famous in 1917. In Hawaii, the Salvation Army started serving doughnuts the day of the attack--feeding volunteer workers, firefighters, police and military family evacuees.
On the morning of the attack, Mrs. A.M. Holbrook (in photo) wife of Salvation Army Major A.M. Holbrook opened up the new fire station at Wahiawa, got the stove connected, borrowed dishes and kettles, then kept turning out doughnuts by the platter full until the next Wednesday afternoon. “There never was a crumb left over,” she said. “Girl Scouts helped on the night shifts, but I didn’t peel off my clothes for ten days running. I just dropped on a couch for an hour or so of rest then went back to the stove again”
For the duration of the war, Mrs. Holbrook's canteen was established in the Wahiawa Methodist Church. It was open from five p.m. until 7 a.m. In the first three weeks of operation, 18,000 doughnuts were handed out.(Honolulu Star Bulletin, December 3, 1942)
PHOTO: The USO-Salvation Army mobile doughnut canteen at top. In the lower photo, Salvation Army's Major and Mrs. A.M. Holbrook are in the background. (Salvation Army Archives)
Women in World War II Hawaii
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