IHOP Offers Free Pancakes to Celebrate Fat Tuesday

On Tuesday, the pancake palace known as IHOP will be kicking off Lent with a tradition of giving. Though you may call it Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, IHOP calls the day before the beginning of Lent, National Pancake Day.

According to the IHOP website, National Pancake Day began several centuries ago in England. When the English prepped for Lenten fasting (which meant no dairy products), they would make pancakes in order to use up their dairy. Therefore the day was christened Pancake Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday.

IHOP began celebrating National Pancake Day in 2006 and this celebration includes pancakes of course! Free pancakes. From 7 AM to 10 PM on Tuesday, you can get one free short stack (three) of IHOP buttermilk pancakes. All that is asked is that patrons consider making a donation to the Children's Miracle Network.

Last year, IHOP gave away over 1.5 million pancakes and raised over $875,000 for charity. They hope to at least top one million dollars this year for the Children's Miracle Network.

The Children's Miracle Network is an exemplary non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping and saving children by raising funds for children's hospitals across the country. First founded in 1983, the Network has since expanded to 170 Children's Miracle Network hospitals and have helped over 17 million children every year.

If you can't make it to the IHOP event, you can always donate online here, by mail, or by calling (801)278-8900.

Also, the Children's Miracle Network's sponsors offer other ways to help throughout the year.

During the month of June, Dairy Queen will be selling Miracle Balloons and in August will hold the annual Miracle Treat Day, where all proceeds will go to local Children's Miracle Network hospitals. Movie store Blockbuster regularly holds events on behalf of the Network, including fundraising by selling Miracle Balloons and seasonal sales at Valentine's Day and Halloween.

Marriott International holds the honor of being the Network's longest sustaining sponsor. The Marriot's associates regularly work with the Network to organize fund raising efforts. Some of these fundraising initiatives have been taken on by Renaissance Hotels, Marriott Vacation Club International, Residence Inn and Fairfield Inn. The Marriott also donates lodging to families of hospitalized children through the Marriott Rewards program. Members of the Rewards program can also donate points to help in this manner.

IHOP Official Website

Children's Miracle Network