Trooper Ken Payonk of the Indiana State Police set the record in The Salvation Army’s Donut Eating Contest last year by eating 16 donuts in 10 minutes. This year, he’s back to defend his title.

Payonk will compete with 13 other contestants for the title of Donut Champion during the 9^th Annual Donut Eating Contest to support The Salvation Army of Michigan City. It will take place on Friday, June 7 at Blue Chip Casino in the Stardust Event Center. Doors open at 9am and the contest will begin at 10am.

The event is free and open to the public.

With a $10 donation to The Salvation Army, the public can vote for the person they think will eat the most donuts in 10 minutes. A winner will be drawn at random from the votes cast for the donut champion, and that person will receive a $50 gift certificate from the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce. Votes are available for purchase online at salarmy.us/donuts2024 or can be purchased in person at the event.

Competing against Trooper Payonk this year will be: Deputy Joe Walker, La Porte County Sheriff’s Office; Jo Davis, Harbour Trust & Investment Management Company; Katelyn Swistek, Michigan City Chamber of Commerce; Mike Maesch, Michigan City Area Schools; Brett Antisdel, MidwesThrift; William Walker, City of Michigan City; Gage Waldo, GAF; Landon Roberts, Instrumental Machine & Development; Det. Maximiliano Hernandez, Michigan City Police Department; Liz Pina, HealthLinc; Ben Bachmann, Phi Delta Kappa; George Sidney, Williams Dedicated; and Cindy DeLucca, Blue Chip Casino.

“This is always an exciting day for The Salvation Army,” said Major Dale Simmons, who oversees The Salvation Army of Michigan City, along with his wife, Major Becky Simmons. “National Donut Day has roots with The Salvation Army, so it’s fun to celebrate some of our heritage with an event that creates so much enthusiasm.”

As Simmons explains, the origins of National Donut Day go back to World War I when The Salvation Army would deliver spiritual care and comfort items, including homemade donuts, to American soldiers on the front lines. “The Salvation Army started National Donut Day as a way to bring awareness to The Salvation Army’s social service programs,” he said.

Sponsors for The Salvation Army’s 9^th annual Donut Eating Contest are Blue Chip Casino, GAF, Michigan City Chamber of Commerce, and Al’s Supermarkets.

Proceeds from this event will support programs and services at The Salvation Army of Michigan City including a food pantry, diaper bank, weekend backpack feeding program, utility assistance, free summer camp, free clothing room, and case management. More information can be found at www.samichigancity.org.