Entenmann's® and The Salvation Army Tackle National Donut Day With Super Bowl Champion and New Jersey Native Victor Cruz

NEW YORK, May 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Entenmann's, a Bimbo Bakeries USA company, and The Salvation Army get ready to tackle the 76^th National Donut Day (#NationalDonutDay) on Friday, June 7 ^th, 2013.   One of Entenmann's most recognized donut fans, Super Bowl Champion and New Jersey native Victor Cruz is helping to spread the word about this delicious holiday; http://bit.ly/entPRfb. The Salvation Army and Entenmann's Bakery will celebrate National Donut Day through their continued partnership for a third consecutive year.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130531/NY23676 )

"I grew up on Entenmann's donuts right across the river in New Jersey and to this day always have a box of Entenmann's Crumb Topped donuts in the house," said Victor Cruz, celebrity ambassador for Entenmann's and National Donut Day.  "It really is an honor to be recognized as such a big Entenmann's fan, while honoring The Salvation Army on their very special day."

The holiday, held annually on the first Friday of June, was established by The Salvation Army in 1938 in Chicago to honor the "Donut Lassies" who served these treats to soldiers during World War I and to help raise needed funds during the Great Depression.  This significant occasion established the donut as a long-standing symbol of the services The Salvation Army continues to provide.  For more information on the 76^th National Donut Day, please visit www.facebook.com/entenmanns, www.entenmanns.com, www.salvationarmyusa.org or http://www.facebook.com/SalvationArmyUSA.

Entenmann's, with donut bakeries in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and Montebello, California, produce more than 780 million donuts a year, which equates to 15 million donuts a week and more than 100,000 donuts every hour to keep up with the demands of Entenmann's donut lovers nationwide.  For every new "Like" on Entenmann's Facebook page from May 1^st to June 15^h the company will donate $1 to The Salvation Army, up to $30,000 (http://www.facebook.com/entenmanns).  Fans can also enter to win 'Free Donuts for a Year' and additional prizes through a sweepstakes link on the Entenmann's Facebook page. All entries must be received by 11:59: p.m. ET on June 30, 2013. Winners will be randomly selected from all submissions. Official Rules can be found at www.entenmanns.com.

"We want to thank Entenmann's for partnering again with us this year to celebrate National Donut Day and help us serve those in need," said Major Ron Busroe, National Community Relations and Development Secretary for The Salvation Army. "Every year on National Donut Day, The Salvation Army asks the public to remember those less fortunate who struggle to make ends meet. So, for everyone who enjoys a tasty donut in celebration, please take a minute to consider ways to give back in your community."

NATIONAL DONUT DAY FUN FACTS FROM THE SALVATION ARMY

• The Salvation Army started National Donut Day during the Great Depression as a way to raise funds and bring awareness to The Salvation Army's social service programs.
• National Donut Day commemorates the "donut lassies," female Salvation Army volunteers who provided writing supplies, stamps, clothes-mending and home-cooked meals, and of course, donuts, for soldiers on the front lines.
• Approximately 250 Salvation Army volunteers provided assistance to American soldiers in France starting in 1917 during WWI.
• With limited resources, these treats were fried, only seven at a time. The Salvation Army's Ensign Margaret Sheldon and Adjutant Helen Purviance cleverly thought of frying donuts in soldiers' helmets.
• Last year, 30 million Americans received assistance from The Salvation Army's 3,600 officers, 60,000 employees and 3.4 million volunteers.

DONUT FUN FACTS FROM ENTENMANN'S BAKERY

• The Rich Frosted Donut has been the #1 seller since its introduction in 1973. 2013 marks the 40-Year Anniversary – that's a sweet celebration.
• Entenmann's Donut Facility in Carlisle, Pennsylvania is the largest Donut Plant in the United States, producing more than 40 million boxes of yummy delight each year.
• Believing that people were more inclined to buy what they can see, the Entenmann's brothers, William, Robert and Charles, and mother, Martha, invented the familiar "see-through" cake box for baked goods in 1959.
• In the early '50s, Frank Sinatra used to call the Bay Shore bakery to place weekly orders from Entenmann's.

About Entenmann's Bakery  
Founded in 1898, Entenmann's® Bakery has over 100 sweet baked goods, including crumb cakes, donuts, chocolate chip cookies, and multi-grain cereal bars. Entenmann's products are baked by the Bimbo Bakeries USA companies (BBU).  BBU is a leader in the baking industries known for its category leading brands, innovative products, freshness and quality.  Our team of more than 28,000 U.S. associates operates 75 manufacturing locations in the United States. 13,500 distribution routes deliver our leading brands such as Arnold®, Bimbo®, Boboli®, Brownberry®, Entenmann's®, Francisco®, Freihofer's®, Heiner's ®, Marinela®, Mrs Baird's®, Oroweat®, Sara Lee®, Stroehmann®, Thomas'®, and Tia Rosa®.  More information about Bimbo Bakeries USA companies' full line of products can be found at http://www.bimbobakeriesusa.com and www.entenmanns.com.

About The Salvation Army 
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for more than 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.

SOURCE Bimbo Bakeries USA