Dig Into Free Pancakes Feb. 24 to Benefit Children’s Miracle Network

In honor of National Pancake Day on Feb. 24, IHOP restaurants nationwide will offer guests a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Children’s Miracle Network. IHOP has set a goal to raise $1 million to benefit children’s hospitals and other charities throughout the country.

Laura Walter

Feb. 11, 2009

2 min read

For every short stack of pancakes served on National Pancake Day, IHOP guests are invited to make a donation to the Children’s Miracle Network program at the Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital.

Since the inception of National Pancake Day in 2006, IHOP has raised nearly 2 million dollars to support charities. During the 2008 event, IHOP served 1.5 million free pancakes – that’s enough to create a stack more than 12 miles high. Pancake lovers donated more than $875,000 to children’s charities, far exceeding the fundraising goal for that year and making the day IHOP’s largest one-day event in the company’s 50-year history.

Also known as Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day has been celebrated for centuries in England to herald the beginning of fasting during Lent. Long ago, strict rules prohibited the eating of all dairy products during Lent, so pancakes were made to use up the supply of eggs, milk, butter and other dairy products … hence the name Pancake Tuesday. Today, the English and others around the world “flip” for pancakes on this day.

Participating IHOP restaurants will offer free short stacks on Tuesday, Feb. 24, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.ihoppancakeday.com.

About the Author

Laura Walter

Laura Walter was formerly senior editor of EHS Today. She is a subject matter expert in EHS compliance and government issues and has covered a variety of topics relating to occupational safety and health. Her writing has earned awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), the Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI) and APEX Awards for Publication Excellence. Her debut novel, Body of Stars (Dutton) was published in 2021.