They came, they ate, they donated—to the tune of $3.9 million in donations for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other charities. Thousands of pancake lovers nationwide walked into their local IHOP restaurants on March 8 to celebrate the cultural phenomenon known as National Pancake Day. From 7 in the morning and throughout the day until the evening, guests were treated to one free stack of buttermilk pancakes, and in a show of generosity, guest donations broke all existing records for National Pancake Day with donations that totaled $3.9 million for the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Shriners Hospitals for Children, and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in their communities. Thanks to the generosity of its guests and franchisees, IHOP easily exceeded its goal of $3.5 million.
This year, members of Kiwanis International, including their Key Clubs and Circle K, along with volunteers from the other charity organizations, generously participated at their local restaurants, reminding guests that these free pancakes had a purpose—helping children in their own community receive much needed medical aid and treatment.
IHOP invited guests to show their appreciation by making a voluntary donation to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and other local charities. The event is unique in that the funds raised at each IHOP location stay within that local community and go towards helping children in guests’ own backyard. With this latest total, National Pancake Day has now raised $24 millionfor charity since its inception in 2006.
The party didn’t stop at U.S. borders: National Pancake Day has become a widely observed international event, celebrating its 3rdanniversary in Canada and Mexico and also in Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. More than 1,600 IHOP restaurants worldwide participated in enjoying pancakes with a purpose.
“Everyone at IHOP is so grateful to our franchisees, team members, and guests who helped this year’s National Pancake Day celebration raise a record-breaking amount of money for sick children in our communities,” said Darren Rebelez, President, International House of Pancakes. “This has truly become a day when everyone comes together at IHOP to show the true meaning of community. We are proud of National Pancake Day and what it represents—and especially what it has accomplished.”
