When Allen Renquist and Matt Anlyan purchased Donut Inn last December, they set a goal for themselves: to donate 1,000 dozen baked goods by the end of 2017.
 
They met that goal by the end of July.
 
So they set a new goal: 2,000 dozen before the end of the year.
 
And on Nov. 16, they met that goal as well.
 
What began as a partnership with one local organization, The Hope Center, has expanded to partnerships with 23 organizations, ranging from the Good Shepherd Center, to first responders, to PTA groups at local schools.
 
“When we bought Donut Inn we set about designing a donation program that would both address the issue of food waste and allow us to support organizations in our own community,” Renquist said. “Coming from a background in humanitarian work we needed to find a way to continue addressing these issues.”
 
Both Anlyan and Renquist (pictured above) worked for many years for Raleigh-based Stop Hunger Now, an organization that works to feed children in schools and clinics around the world.
 
After many years of overseas travel, both decided it was time to put down roots and have more time with their families. They say that Donut Inn has allowed them the flexibility they were seeking, while still allowing them to connect with the community on multiple levels and in a meaningful way.
 
“We are proud to be one of Wilmington’s locally owned businesses that makes giving back to the community a priority,” Renquist said.
 
As its one-year anniversary approaches, Donut Inn is rolling out some new menu items such as glazed croissant sliders, a Baja beach breakfast burrito and new lunch sandwiches. They will also be serving seasonal drinks: salted caramel mochas, peppermint mochas, apple cider and peppermint hot chocolate.
 
Donut Inn is located at 1427 Military Cutoff Road.
 
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