Small Project: Donut Angel — Warmth in a Donut

Donut Angel — Taking Leftovers to People Who Need Warmth

Small Community Project

What We Did

Each evening, local bakeries gave us their leftover donuts at the end of their day. Instead of letting them go to waste, we picked them up and took them straight to night shelters around Hobart. 

Why This Mattered

People were already standing in the cold before shelters opened. A simple donut became a moment of warmth — not just food, but human connection. 

How It Happened

• Collected donuts from bakeries after closing time.
• Visited night shelters before doors opened.
• Stopped to talk and listen with people waiting — not just distribute food, but share a moment.  

The Name Origin

One evening, someone called us “the Donut Angel.” The name stuck because it reflected exactly what we were offering: a little surprise of care in a hard moment. 

What We Learned

• Small, simple actions can create real, meaningful connections.
• People don’t always need grand solutions — sometimes they need presence.
• What others see as leftover can be something valuable in a different context.  

Next Small Step

Find local businesses with surplus food at the end of the day and offer to take it where it’s needed — not as charity, but as shared human hospitality. 

See More small projects:

• Small Project: Donut Angel — Warmth in a Donut
• Small Project: Tip Shop Trolleys
• Small Project: $5 Bag Clothes
• Small Project: Starting a Rock Band (and Ending It Well)
• Small Project: Shoes That Fit