National Pancake Day attracts crowd for a good cause

IHOP associated this year with the Children's Miracle Network.

By Liz Hartnett

Published Feb. 26, 2009

On Tuesday, a charity partnered with the International House of Pancakes not only brought free pancakes to lovers of the fluffy breakfast treat, but also hope to those in need.

National Pancake Day, a holiday that dates many years before the first IHOP was ever conceived, was held on Feb. 24, and the restaurant's Columbia location raked in thousands for the Children's Miracle Network, a nationwide fundraising organization that raises money for medical equipment to treat children.

Patrons who participated in the event were asked to make a small donation in return for a free short stack, which consists of three pancakes. For the past three years, 1,400 IHOP restaurants have participated in National Pancake Day and have raised nearly $2 million. This year, IHOP's goal was to raise $1 million from its more than 1,200 restaurants across the country, yet they only managed to collect $35,000. From the 1,487 stacks served at the Columbia restaurant, $2,070 was raised.

Despite coming short of their goal, Columbia IHOP General Manager James Woolstrum said the restaurant was proud to have taken part in the event.

"The turnout is the best we've ever had," Woolstrum said.

Woolstrum said the large crowd that filled the restaurant during the promotion, which lasted from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., he said it was worth it "because of the charity cause."

Last year was the first year that IHOP's primary partner for National Pancake Day was Children's Miracle Network. The UM Health Care Children's Hospital is one of 170 children's hospitals that are in the network, which was created in 1983.

In years past, local IHOP restaurants would partner with charities in their surrounding communities and give them the proceeds from the event.

Woolstrum wasn't the only one pleased with the event.

At 9 p.m., an hour before the event ended, the restaurant's lobby was full and a line full of Columbia residents and MU students stretched out to the parking lot.

"I wanted to go because I've never been there and it's for a good cause," said freshman Emma Brown, who also donated $2 to the cause.

Some were just pleased with the taste of pancakes.

"They were magnificent," sophomore Kristen Schmitz said. "The blueberry syrup really topped it off."

Although free pancakes and philanthropy for children's' health care are what National Pancake Day is best known for, the holiday has actually been recognized for centuries.

The holiday falls on Mardi Gras, the day before the beginning of Lent. Centuries ago, the English would make pancakes on that day to use up eggs, milk and dairy, all products that the church had prohibited for consumption during Lent.