IHOP hopes to raise nearly $3 million for charity on National Pancake Day

It's National Pancake Day, so patrons at Baton Rouge area IHOPs and locations across the country enjoyed free pancakes while supporting a worthy cause.

Nationwide, the food chain hopes to raise $2.7 million for Children's Hospitals and other local charities. In Louisiana, the money raised will go to the Shriner's Hospital in Shreveport.

For the free short stack, customers asked to donate something to the charity.

"Everybody loves pancakes, especially the kids,” stated general manager Martin Cox. “I’ll tell you what… it really gives them a warm feeling when you see a healthy kid up there, with their parents putting money into the (donation) box."

This is the 7th year IHOP has raised money for Children's Hospitals around the country.