About 250 Salvation Army volunteers went to France. Because of the difficulties of providing freshly baked goods from huts established in abandoned buildings near to the front lines, the two Salvation Army volunteers (Ensign Margaret Sheldon and Adjutant Helen Purviance) came up with the idea of providing doughnuts.
Approximately 250 Salvation Army volunteers traveled to France. Due to the difficulties in delivering warm pastries from temporary bakeries situated close to the battlefront, two Salvation Army personnel (Ensign Margaret Sheldon and Adjutant Helen Purviance) conceived the notion of providing donuts.