National Pancake Day - February 24

February
National Pancake Day - February 24
By Cynthia Kirkeby
Dec 18, 2008, 20:00 PST

Known also as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, National Pancake Day dates back several centuries to when the English prepped for fasting during Lent. 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, or Shrove Tuesday.

This year, put your love for pancakes to work for a good cause. If you go to IHOP on National Pancake Day, February 24, they will give you a free short stack of pancakes. All you have to do is make a donation to the local children's hospital.

Now, you might think that you can't make much by asking people to donate their payment for a short stack, but IHOP believes they may be able to raise as much as $1,000,000! One million dollars for a day of pancakes. Just think of all the kids that can be treated, and possibly cured!

Since the inception of National Pancake Day in 2006, IHOP has raised nearly $2 million to support charities in the communities in which it operates. In 2008, IHOP gave away more than 1.5 million pancakes and raised over $875,000 in support of Children’s Miracle Network and other local charities, far exceeding its goal to raise $750,000. So, have a stack of pancakes and help a child overcome the odds.