Feb. 5 is Shrove Tuesday, also known as Free Pancake Day at IHOP.

For the eighth consecutive year — and the 30th anniversary of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, IHOPs  nationwide will offer each guest a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes.

You can eat and run, if you wish. But the folks at IHOP encourage patrons to make a voluntary donation to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to kick off                                   the 2013 fundraising year.

Contributions in the greater Philadelphia market will  benefit the program at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. IHOP hopes to raise $3 million this year, to bring the total amount of funds raised to more than $13 million.  To find a local IHOP or to donate online, visit www.ihoppancakeday.com.

Don’t worry if you miss breakfast. IHOP will be flipping flapjacks all day, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.