Dunkin’® Brings Storytime to the Season with “The Little Holiday MUNCHKIN™”

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 17, 2025--

Dunkin’ is sprinkling extra joy into the holidays with The Little Holiday MUNCHKIN – a new children’s book and animated spot narrated by Emmy® –nominated writer, producer and director Mindy Kaling. The heartwarming tale follows one tiny MUNCHKIN Donut Hole Treat on a journey of belonging and joy, reminding readers that sometimes “the smallest part is the best part.” A portion of the proceeds* from every book sold will benefit the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, which helps bring joy to children battling hunger or illness.

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Earlier this month, Dunkin’ unveiled its holiday lineup featuring packaging inspired by MUNCHKINS® Donut Hole Treats. Now, that same festive, storybook-style design comes to life in The Little Holiday MUNCHKIN, turning Dunkin’s most beloved small treat into a holiday hero.

The animation features narration by Dunkin’ fan Mindy Kaling, whose signature voice brings warmth and wit to the story’s message of belonging, making it a joyful watch for kids and grown-ups alike.

“Dunkin' MUNCHKINS are a favorite in my house, so this was kind of a no brainer for me,” said Mindy Kaling. “What I love about this story is how it celebrates the overlooked things that end up being the most special. I’m a sucker for an underdog – and for the holidays – so this book is definitely earning a spot in our bedtime story rotation.”

“The holidays at Dunkin’ are all about creating moments of joy,” said Jill Nelson, chief marketing officer at Dunkin’. “We love that one of our tiniest treats gets to be the hero of the season. The Little Holiday MUNCHKIN is a reminder that joy can come from the smallest things – whether it’s a donut-hole treat, a moment of kindness, or a story shared together – all while supporting the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation and the incredible work it does for children and families.”

Adding a little something extra for families, the book concludes with a recipe for MUNCHKINS Bread Pudding, turning the story’s hero into a treat you can make and share at home. It’s a sweet way to extend the story beyond the last page, and another reason this holiday keeps getting more delicious.

The Little Holiday MUNCHKIN is available starting today at participating Dunkin’ locations, just in time for gifting this holiday season. The animated spot can be enjoyed on Dunkin’s YouTube channel and social platforms ( Instagram, TikTok ).

To keep the fun going beyond the storybook, Dunkin’ is also dropping limited-edition MUNCHKINS-inspired merch at DunkinRunsOnMerch.com, a fun way to celebrate the season’s tiniest hero.

To stay up to date on everything Dunkin’, visit DunkinDonuts.com or subscribe to the Dunkin’ blog to receive notifications at news.dunkindonuts.com/blog.

*$2 from every book sold, up to $550,000, will benefit the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation®.

About Dunkin’

Dunkin’, founded in 1950, is the largest coffee and donuts brand in the United States, with more than 14,000 restaurants in nearly 40 global markets. Dunkin’ is part of the Inspire Brands family of restaurants. For more information, visit DunkinDonuts.com and InspireBrands.com.

About Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation

The Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation, the charitable foundation supported by Dunkin' and the generosity of its franchisees, guests, vendor partners and employees, provides the simple joys of childhood to kids battling hunger or illness. The Foundation partners with food banks, children's hospitals, and other nonprofit organizations to fund joyful environments and experiences for kids when they need it most. Since 2006, the Joy in Childhood Foundation has granted more than $65 million to hundreds of national and local charities across the country. For more information, please visit www.bringjoy.com.

The Little Holiday MUNCHKIN™ is a heartwarming tale that follows one tiny MUNCHKIN Donut Hole Treat on a journey of belonging and joy, reminding readers that sometimes “the smallest part is the best part.”

Dunkin’ is sprinkling extra joy into the holidays with The Little Holiday MUNCHKIN™ – a new children’s book and animated spot narrated by Emmy®–nominated writer, producer and director Mindy Kaling.

GENEVA (AP) — The U.N.'s humanitarian aid coordination office is downsizing its appeal for annual funding in 2026 after support this year, mostly from Western governments, plunged to the lowest level in a decade.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Monday it was seeking $33 billion to help some 135 million people cope with fallout from wars, climate disasters, earthquakes, epidemics and food shortages. This year, it took in $15 billion, the lowest level in a decade.

The office says next year it wants more than $4.1 billion to reach 3 million people in Palestinian areas, another $2.9 billion for Sudan — home to the world's largest displacement crisis — and $2.8 billion for a regional plan around Syria.

“In 2025, hunger surged. Food budgets were slashed — even as famines hit parts of Sudan and Gaza. Health systems broke apart," said OCHA chief Tom Fletcher. "Disease outbreaks spiked. Millions went without essential food, healthcare and protection. Programs to protect women and girls were slashed, hundreds of aid organizations shut."

The U.N. aid coordinator sought $47 billion for this year and aimed to help 190 million people worldwide. Because of the lower support, it and humanitarian partners reached 25 million fewer people this year than in 2024.

“I know budgets are tight right now. Families everywhere are under strain," Fletcher said. “But the world spent $2.7 trillion on defense last year – on guns and arms. And I’m asking for just over 1% of that.”

He has called for “radical transformation” of aid by reducing bureaucracy, boosting efficiency and giving more power to local groups. Fletcher cited “very practical, constructive conversations” almost daily with the Trump administration.

“Do I want to shame the world into responding? Absolutely," Fletcher said. "But I also want to channel this sense of determination and anger that we have as humanitarians, that we will carry on delivering with what we get.”

FILE - A convoy of vehicles loaded with food and other aid is en route to Sweida on the international highway in rural Daraa province, Syria, July 20, 2025, heading to the city of Busra al-Sham. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki, File)

FILE - Palestinians grab sacks of flour from a moving truck carrying World Food Programme aid as it drives through Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, Nov. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana, File)

FILE - People carry sacks and boxes of food and humanitarian aid that was unloaded from a World Food Program convoy that had been heading to Gaza City in the northern Gaza Strip, June 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi, File)

FILE - Women displaced from El-Fasher stand in line to receive food aid at the newly established El-Afadh camp in Al Dabbah, in Sudan's Northern State, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali, File)