Who Bought Donuts for The Team This Morning

Many Work Environments Indulge in Donut Ritual

A few people go solo for a donut and coffee; others bring them back for the team. For the team, suddenly there is a pink box in the break room filled with your favorite donuts. “Who bought the donuts?” is always asked, clearing the way for the morning ritual if they are for everyone.

Which is your favorite? a soft glazed donut that melts the second you bite into it. The taste that lingers; the smell of vanilla; the softness that says I’m yours.

Maybe you like apple fritters, flavored with cinnamon from the inside out, coated with a layer of sugar that sprinkles like snowflakes after every bite. Oh, and the long custard-filled cream bar that sends you wanting more.

When the pink box appears, everyone knows what is coming. The thin box wasn’t designed to hold the aroma. In this case, box size does matter. What began as a cost‑cutting practice has become a donut ritual.

Who Will Eat the Last Glazed Donut in the Box

The last donuts left in the box that people are too polite to touch makes their way to the afternoon. In the fridge, you see the pink box. The apple fritters and the bear claws are gone. Only donuts left are the glazed. Only now, they are cold, crisp, and smell like refrigeration.

But still, you go for it.

You pour a cup of coffee, and suddenly the idea hits you – to dunk your donut in the coffee. As you do, the smell returns, the sweetness wakes up, and the softness comes back. For a moment, the world is a better place.

However, the ritual of having a donut has been happening for many years. In fact, it has its own day of the year…

National Donut Day - The First Friday in June

What started as a thank‑you during World War I, when volunteers from the Salvation Army served donuts to soldiers, later became National Donut Day. In 1938, the Salvation Army formalized the day to honor those volunteers and to raise funds during the Great Depression.

The Ritual of the Morning Donut

The ritual started long ago and is now baked deep into our society. For some, it is seen as a substitute for breakfast. For others, it is a wake-me-up ritual, together with a cup of coffee.

The workplace isn’t the only place where donuts are popular. The smell of vanilla that carries in the air attacks passersby, locals, and families.

Who would believe that uneven cooking in the 18th century would lead to donuts? The solution at the time was to cut out the center.

Call to Action

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Christian Outreach in Action will bring a heartfelt touch to Long Beach this Valentine’s Day by hosting its 4th Annual Spread the Love initiative on Friday, February 13, 2026.

Instead of focusing on traditional gifts, COA volunteers will hand out more than 5,000 handwritten paper hearts paired with care packages of hygiene essentials and snacks across the city.

The kindness campaign reaches everyone—first responders, seniors, locals at bus stops, and unhoused neighbors—sharing short, personal messages that remind people they matter.

COA’s mission, rooted in decades of community service, sees these individual acts of encouragement as a powerful way to connect residents and ease loneliness for vulnerable groups.

Volunteers from all backgrounds are invited to write messages or help distribute items, proving that a little time and compassion can make a lasting impact on Long Beach’s spirit.

Together We Walk — 5K Walk & Fun Run: Join the community for a welcoming 5K walk and fun run supporting individuals and families impacted by cancer. The scenic shoreline route offers waterfront views and a chance to connect with neighbors while contributing to Cancer

Support Community South Bay’s mission.

Date: Sunday, March 8, 2026 • Time: Check‑in 9:00 AM / Walk & Fun Run 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM • Location: Shoreline Park, Long Beach, CA • Admission: Registration required

Event page

Belmont Shore Chocolate & Wine Festival / Sweets & Sips Festival: Celebrate Valentine’s weekend with this Belmont Shore tradition featuring chocolate and sweet tastings from local bakeries and shops, wine and cocktail samples, a dessert contest, scavenger hunt, live music, and family‑friendly fun along 2nd Street.

Date: Sunday, February 15, 2026 • Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM • Location: 2nd Street, Belmont Shore, Long Beach, CA 90803 • Admission: Free to attend (tasting tickets and wristbands sold onsite) 

Event page

DTLB Live! – Live Music & Local Vendors: Enjoy an energetic community gathering on The Promenade with live music, local crafts, food vendors, and family‑friendly fun.

Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026 — Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM — Location: The Promenade (235 The Promenade N), Long Beach, CA — Admission: Free

Event Page

Pet Love Market – LBX Hangar: Join a pet‑friendly celebration of all things furry with local makers, treats, toys, and community fun.

Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026 — Time: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM — Location: LBX Hangar, 4069 N Lakewood Blvd, Long Beach, CA — Admission: Free

Event Page

Mardi Gras Celebration + Market – LBX Hangar: Get into the Mardi Gras spirit with food, artisan markets, and a festive atmosphere at LBX Hangar.

Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026 — Time: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM — Location: LBX Hangar, 4069 N Lakewood Blvd, Long Beach, CA — Admission: Free

Event Page

The Long Beach Together We Walk 5K Walk and Fun Run returns to Shoreline Park on March 8, 2026, inviting neighbors and families to unite in support of those impacted by cancer.

Hosted by Cancer Support Community South Bay, the event honors the late Judith Opdahl, whose leadership built a foundation of compassionate support for local families since 1987.

This gathering is more than just a walk—it's a chance for survivors, supporters, and loved ones to turn tough experiences into meaningful action and community connection.

Everyone is welcome, from serious runners to groups seeking a steady stroll, including leashed dogs and children.

Participants enjoy free t-shirts and a chance to contribute through fundraising, all while helping ensure support remains accessible for those facing cancer in Long Beach and beyond.

Registration opens January 16, 2026.

A local mom was stunned when she opened a package to discover a 346-page hardcover book titled MEOW—each page containing just a single word: “meow.”

Her two kids, ages nine and twelve, ordered it as a playful surprise, prompting laughter and disbelief captured on video.

Initially determined to return the book, she soon embraced its absurd charm, declaring it hers—and local viewers fell in love with the moment online.

The book, created by author Eszter Kiss, has sparked a viral sensation with thousands of curious shoppers and dozens of amusing reviews on Amazon.

Its bizarre simplicity—a single word repeated for hundreds of pages—has struck a chord with families, cat lovers, and fans of quirky internet culture.

MEOW’s real appeal comes from its unexpected humor and the joyful chaos that only kids (and the internet) can deliver.

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