COEUR d’ALENE — The doughnuts were going fast and furious at Gross Donuts on Friday.

Not necessarily out the door. Some were gone well before then.

Glazed, Boston creme, buttermilk, old-fashioned and blueberry and apple fitters were in demand — one at a time, and often in a baker’s dozen.

People were hungry for the popular sweet snack and the lineup of men, women and plenty of children was long.

National Doughnut Day will do that.

“It’s been good,” said Brandon Webb, general manager with Gross Donuts. “It’s typically our busiest day of the year.”

Gross Donuts has locations at 455 W. Cherry Lane in Coeur d'Alene and at 1603 E. Seltice Way C in Post Falls. 

In years past, Webb said they gave out a free doughnut to everyone who walked in the door. But Gross Donuts wanted to do more to honor local heroes.

For the fourth straight year, it is donating profits from both locations on National Doughnut Day to Newby-ginnings of North Idaho, which provides free basic necessities and essential household items to veterans, active military and Gold Star families.

It was founded by Theresa Hart in memory of her eldest son, SPC. Nicholas Newby, of Coeur d'Alene, who was killed in action July 7, 2011, in Iraq at the age of 20.

Webb explained the roots of National Doughnut Day go back to World War I, when the Salvation Army’s "donut Lassies" gave American soldiers doughnuts during World War I to boost morale.

“That’s kind of the intent,” he said. “We wanted to find a way to keep improving the community as well as find away to give back to the real intention of the day.”

Hart, a local Gold Star Mom, and friends were at the Post Falls location Friday morning to greet customers.

Last year, Gross Donuts raised $1,750 for Newby-ginnings.

“With all our country has been through the last couple years, let’s do our small but important part to help bring some hope & encouragement to those who have given so much,” a statement on the Gross Donuts Facebook page read.