Holy Donuts Apologize to Local LGBT for Helping a Needy Family with Assistance from Salvation Army

A popular donut shop in Portland, Maine was forced to apologize to the community after they offended customers by working with the Salvation Army (SA) to provide Christmas to a needy family.

The Holy Donut (HD) had asked customers to help them with a gift drive for a local family with 5-children.  Those customers who participated received free donuts.

The HD reached out to the SA to find the family in need, the Press-Herald reports.  But instead of saluting HD for doing a good deed, an online mob stormed their Facebook (FB) page.  Many accused the SA of being anti-gay and discriminating against the LGBT community.  Though it was untrue, the truth doesn’t seem to really matter these days.

“They [SA] proselytize to the people in their programs, they reject LGBT people from their shelters,” one outraged customer wrote.  “They have tried to scrub their image, but still discriminate.”

Let’s be clear: The SA is a well-respected Christian ministry that provides shelter for the homeless, addiction programs and of course the iconic red kettles at Christmas time.

The Press Herald reports that the online mob was unrelenting … going so far as to threaten boycotts unless HD renounced its association with SA.  “In case you forgot, a solid 70 percent of your clientele is part of the LGBTQ community,” one rabble-rouser wrote.  “You’re making a silent statement that you’re completely fine with their choices.”

The HD owner wrote on FB, “We do not support the Salvation Army or consider them our ‘partner’ for this project, they simply linked us to a needy family.  We have nothing to gain here; we just wanted to help a family in need.”

To quell the growing controversy, HD threw themselves at the mercy of the surging mob.  “We take this opportunity to sincerely apologize to anyone that we have offended,” the store owners wrote on FB.  “We are an organization which prides itself on our track record of kindness and acceptance of everyone.”

While HD should be commended for helping a family in need and spreading a bit of Christmas cheer, shame on those who harassed these good folks and spread out-right lies about SA!

In the name of HD, drop a few bucks in your nearest SA red kettle. 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel